The Greenlandic government has unveiled new crisis-preparedness guidelines encouraging residents to be self-sufficient for at least five days, as concerns grow over geopolitical tensions following repeated statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about acquiring the Arctic island from Denmark.
The brochure, titled “Prepared for Crises — Be Self-Sufficient for Five Days,” was presented at a press conference in the capital, Nuuk. Greenland’s Minister for Self-Sufficiency, Peter Borg, described the document as an “insurance policy,” emphasizing that authorities do not expect it to be used under normal circumstances.
“We don’t expect to have to use it,” Borg said, adding that the guidance is meant to ensure resilience in the face of a range of possible emergencies.
According to the government, work on the brochure began last year, originally motivated by recurring power outages and other infrastructure-related disruptions. However, its release now comes amid heightened public attention due to Trump’s renewed rhetoric about Greenland’s strategic importance and the possibility—however remote—of U.S. intervention.
The guidelines recommend that households stockpile five days’ worth of food and essential supplies. This includes three liters of drinking water per person per day, toilet paper, a battery-powered radio, and basic emergency equipment. Reflecting Greenland’s unique context, the brochure also advises residents to maintain access to hunting weapons, ammunition, and fishing gear.
Greenland is home to about 57,000 people, nearly 90 percent of whom are Indigenous Inuit. Hunting and fishing remain deeply rooted in daily life and are vital sources of food in many communities, particularly in remote areas where supply chains can be fragile.
Earlier this week, Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said a military operation against the territory was “unlikely,” but stressed that it could not be completely ruled out. As a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland must be prepared for a range of scenarios, he said.
Some reassurance came during Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he stated that the United States would not use force to take over Greenland. However, he reiterated that the island is “undefended” despite its strategic location and called for immediate negotiations, arguing that the U.S. is best positioned to control it.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that acquiring Greenland would help counter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic and enhance global stability. Despite this, public opinion in Greenland remains firmly opposed. A January 2025 poll found that 85 percent of Greenlanders oppose joining the United States, with just six percent in favor.
For Greenlandic leaders, the new guidelines are less about politics and more about preparedness—ensuring that communities can withstand crises, whatever their source.
