What to Do in a Military Crisis in Latvia — Guidance for the Diaspora

This guidance is for members of the Latvian diaspora in the UK and elsewhere who want to know how to prepare and respond if a military crisis or security threat affects Latvia. It is based on official guidance from Latvia's Ministry of Defence (Aizsardzības ministrija), the sargs.lv '72 Hours' campaign, and the 2022 diaspora-specific booklet 'How to act in case of a crisis if living outside Latvia,' prepared by the Ministry of Defence together with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture and major diaspora organisations.

Emergency number in Latvia: 112

What to do in the first 72 hours

Keep calm and get reliable information through television, radio, and official social media accounts. Follow the official accounts: @aizsardzibasministrija (Ministry of Defence), @latvijasarmija (Latvian Army), @Valsts.policija (State Police), @NMPdienests (Emergency Medical Service), and others. Follow all instructions from official agencies. Help your family first, then check on your neighbours. Volunteer where useful, and if you work in an essential service, keep working. Do not spread unverified rumours, and only call 112 when truly necessary.

Preparation basics

Water: Keep approximately 3 litres per person per day (4 litres in hot weather). Know the locations of local wells or springs, and keep water purification tablets.

Food: Keep shelf-stable food that needs little or no cooking and is calorie-dense — canned goods, root vegetables, pasta, cereals, dried bread, oil, and nuts. Do not forget food for pets.

Medicine cabinet: Keep a pain reliever and fever reducer, gastrointestinal medicines, allergy medicines, disinfectant, bandages, regular medications for all household members, a foil blanket, and a thermometer.

The 72-hour emergency bag

Food and water: Long-life calorie-rich food, a multi-tool or can opener, an unbreakable bowl and mug, three days of bottled water, a camping stove, and a water filter or disinfectant tablets.

Heat and light: A spare phone charger or power bank, matches, lighter, and candles, a flashlight with batteries, warm clothes, spare underwear, sturdy shoes, a sleeping bag or blanket, and a tent if available.

Documents: Waterproofed copies of your ID, passport, and driving licence, a list of important phone numbers, a battery-powered radio, small-denomination cash (5, 10, and 20 euro notes), and a waterproof notepad and pen.

Other items: Tape, thread, needle, and scissors; a towel, toilet paper, and wipes; disinfectant and hygiene items; your regular medication with prescription copies; a first-aid kit; and spare glasses or contact lenses.

Guidance specifically for the diaspora

If you are living outside Latvia, the Ministry of Defence, together with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture and major diaspora organisations, prepared a booklet in 2022 on how to act in case of a crisis if living outside Latvia. It covers how to act in the first 72 hours, how to find out what is happening in Latvia, and how to support Latvia while abroad.

If the situation escalates to a security or military threat, the brochure adds: follow all lawful orders, do not collaborate with any occupying force, and if evacuation is announced, carry your ID, disconnect gas, electricity, and water if possible, use official routes, and take your emergency bag.

Official sources

Ministry of Defence 'Building resilience' page: mod.gov.lv/en/nozares-politika/comprehensive-state-defence/building-resilience

Sargs.lv '72 hours' hub: sargs.lv/lv/tema/72stundas

Current English brochure PDF (2024 edition): mod.gov.lv/sites/mod/files/document/72H%20buklets_ENG_WEB_2024.pdf

The brochure 'What to do in case of a crisis' was created jointly by the Defence Ministry, the State Emergency Medical Service, the Fire and Rescue Service, and the Border Guard, and is published in Latvian, English, Russian, and Braille.