How much emergency supply does Romania recommend?

Short answer. Romania's Department for Emergency Situations (DSU) asks every household to keep an emergency backpack for evacuation plus extra supplies to stay at home for at least three days if water, gas and electricity are cut, with preferably 4 litres of water per person per day ¹. The 2024 government crisis guide asks people to be ready to cope on their own for 72 hours ².

How many days of supplies should a Romanian household keep?

At least three days. DSU's emergency backpack page asks for "provizii suplimentare de urgență pentru a supraviețui acasă timp de cel puțin trei zile, în cazul în care apa, gazul și electricitatea vor fi întrerupte" (extra emergency supplies to survive at home for at least three days if water, gas and electricity are cut off) ¹. The government's Ghid pentru situații de criză (Crisis Situations Guide, 2024) carries the same message on its cover line: "FII PREGĂTIT SĂ TE DESCURCI PE CONT PROPRIU PENTRU 72 DE ORE" (be ready to cope on your own for 72 hours) ².

DSU's advice therefore has two parts ¹:

• an emergency backpack (rucsac de urgență) you can pick up and leave with;
• extra home supplies for at least three days without utilities.

How much water per person?

DSU recommends preferably 4 litres per person per day ¹. Store it in a cool, dark place and replace it every 6 months ¹. Add water purification tablets and a bottle of water to purify ¹. The crisis guide adds water for pets: about 30 ml per kg of the animal's weight per day ².

Before an announced water cut, DSU advises filling bathtubs and containers ¹. For how needs change with climate and health, see how much water to store per person and water purification.

What food should I store?

Compact, light food that needs no refrigeration, boiling or baking: tinned food, dehydrated food, energy bars, biscuits, protein foods, jam, juice, coffee and tea, for at least three days ¹. Plan for special needs too: baby food, milk and pet food ¹. See food shelf life and cooking without power.

Is keeping supplies a legal duty in Romania?

Yes, in general terms. Law 481/2004 on civil protection, art. 20(1)(g), lists among citizens' duties to provide their own individual means of protection, a first-aid kit, a food and water reserve and other essentials to protect their families: "să-şi asigure mijloacele individuale de protecţie, trusa sanitară, rezerva de alimente şi apă, precum şi alte materiale de primă necesitate pentru protecţia familiilor lor" ³. The law does not set quantities in that article; the three-day figure comes from DSU ¹.

What else does DSU recommend?

• Medicines: personal medicines and prescriptions, and a one-month reserve of medicines, supplies and devices for people with disabilities or chronic illness ¹. See vulnerable people.
• Documents and cash: ID card, health insurance card, property documents, cash in small notes and a copy of the family emergency plan ¹. See important documents and family plan.
• A second backpack for work or the car: first-aid kit, spare clothes and shoes, thermal blanket, paper map, solar power bank, tow cables, reflective triangles, ice scraper, shovel, sand or salt ¹.
• Yearly review: check the kit every year and replace expired items ¹. Replace radio batteries every year ¹.

The full list, line by line, is on the Romania kit checklist.

Frequently asked questions

How many litres of water per person does Romania recommend?

Preferably 4 litres per person per day, for at least three days, renewed every 6 months ¹.

Is the 72-hour rule official in Romania?

Yes. The 2024 government crisis guide asks people to be ready to cope on their own for 72 hours ², and DSU asks for supplies for at least three days at home ¹.

Do I have to keep supplies by law?

Law 481/2004 makes a food and water reserve, a first-aid kit and individual protection means a citizen's duty, without setting quantities ³.

How often should I check my supplies?

DSU recommends reviewing the kit every year and replacing expired items; stored water every 6 months ¹.

Sources

1. Departamentul pentru Situații de Urgență (fiipregatit.ro) — Rucsacul de urgență — https://fiipregatit.ro/pregateste-te/rucsacul-de-urgenta-2 (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. Guvernul României – Centrul Euro-Atlantic pentru Reziliență, DSU, DNSC, MApN — Ghid pentru situații de criză — https://app.dsu.mai.gov.ro/uploads/ghid_pentru_situatii_de_criza_1cf39b7021.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
3. Parlamentul României (consolidated text hosted by Primăria Pucioasa) — Legea nr. 481 din 8 noiembrie 2004 privind protecţia civilă — https://primariapucioasa.ro/public/public/upload/manager/files/L-481-2004-protectia-civila.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)