How much emergency food and water does Cyprus recommend?

Short answer. Cyprus Civil Defence asks every household to build a kit with food and supplies for three days, with 3 litres of water per person per day ¹. Its older 72-hour leaflet gives the same horizon and says the kit should be waterproof and easy to carry ². For going to a shelter, take ID, water, dry food, medicines, a torch and a radio ³.

How long should supplies last in Cyprus?

Three days. The Family Communication Emergency Plan (P.I.O. 41/2026) says: "Build a kit with food and supplies, for three days" ¹. The older Civil Defence leaflet Most important supplies for 72 hours sets the same 72-hour horizon ².

How much water per person?

3 litres per person per day ¹. The Greek edition of the plan gives the same figure: Τρία λίτρα νερό ανά άτομο την ημέρα ⁴.

Background on storage and needs: water per person and water storage containers.

What does the official list include?

The 2026 family plan lists water, non-perishable food for three days, a first-aid kit, cash, a complete change of clothing, car and house keys, a multi-tool, important family documents, a battery-powered radio, a mobile phone with charger and batteries, a torch, a local map, hygiene items and blankets, pet food, family contact information and other tools you may need ¹. The older leaflet adds medication, warm clothing, a whistle and a dust mask ². The full list, line by line, is on the kit checklist.

What should I take to a public shelter?

The Ministry of Interior's instructions of 3 March 2026 list what to take when going to a shelter ³:

• ID or basic documents;
• water;
• dry food and baby food;
• first-aid supplies;
• essential and prescribed medicines;
• a torch, a small portable radio and batteries.

Civil Defence's release of 2 March 2026 adds important documents and a little money for short shelter stays ⁵. Stays in shelters are short, until the danger passes ⁵. See public shelters.

What about chemical, biological or nuclear incidents?

The Civil Defence leaflet on chemical, biological or nuclear attack asks you to prepare a room at home stocked with dry food and bottled water for at least two days ⁶. Our guide on sheltering in place from chemicals explains the general method.

Frequently asked questions

Does Cyprus ask for 72 hours or more?

Three days (72 hours) in both the 2026 family plan and the older leaflet ¹².

Should the kit be portable?

Yes. The older leaflet says the kit should be waterproof and easy to carry ².

What if I have a baby or pets?

The shelter instructions mention baby food ³, and the family plan lists pet food if needed ¹. See our guides on infant supplies and pets.

Are copies of documents enough?

The Greek edition of the family plan specifies copies of important family documents ¹⁴. See important documents.

Sources

1. Cyprus Civil Defence / Press and Information Office — Family Communication Emergency Plan (P.I.O. 41/2026) — https://www.gov.cy/media/sites/156/2025/12/English-familyPlan.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. Δύναμη Πολιτικής Άμυνας (Cyprus Civil Defence Force) — Οι πιο σημαντικές προμήθειες για 72 ώρες / Most important supplies for 72 hours — https://web.archive.org/web/2025/https://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/CD/cd.nsf/All/E432A8C0C2439328C2258C5E002AAEE9/$file/Οι πιο σημαντικές προμήθειες για 72 ώρες.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
3. Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών & Δύναμη Πολιτικής Άμυνας — Οδηγίες αυτοπροστασίας σε περίπτωση κινδύνου από εχθρική ενέργεια — https://www.gov.cy/esoterika-themata/odigies-aftoprostasias-se-periptosi-kindynou-apo-echthriki-energeia/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
4. Δύναμη Πολιτικής Άμυνας / Γραφείο Τύπου και Πληροφοριών — Οικογενειακό Σχέδιο Έκτακτης Ανάγκης — https://www.gov.cy/media/sites/156/2026/06/Triptixo_blue-merged.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
5. Δύναμη Πολιτικής Άμυνας — Ενέργειες Δύναμης Πολιτικής Άμυνας στην περιοχή Ακρωτηρίου — https://www.gov.cy/esoterika-themata/energeies-dynamis-politikis-amynas-stin-periochi-akrotiriou/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
6. Δύναμη Πολιτικής Άμυνας — Μέτρα αυτοπροστασίας από χημική, βιολογική ή πυρηνική επίθεση — https://www.gov.cy/media/sites/156/2025/12/Μέτρα-αυτοπροστασίας-από-χημική-βιολογική-ή-πυρηνική-επίθεση.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)