Highlights:
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Greenland releases new crisis-preparedness guidelines advising residents to be self-sufficient for five days
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Move follows renewed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about taking control of Greenland
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Greenland officials stress the guidance is precautionary and not linked to any immediate threat
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Guidelines reflect Greenland’s geography, infrastructure risks, and reliance on hunting and fishing
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Public opinion in Greenland remains strongly opposed to joining the United States
The Greenlandic government has released new crisis-preparedness guidelines urging residents to be self-sufficient for at least five days, as political leaders respond to increased public concern following renewed statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about taking control of Greenland.
The guidance, outlined in a brochure titled “Prepared for Crises — Be Self-Sufficient for Five Days,” was presented at a press conference in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Officials said the document is designed to strengthen community resilience during emergencies and is not a response to any specific or imminent threat.
Greenland’s Minister for Self-Sufficiency, Peter Borg, described the guidelines as an “insurance policy,” emphasizing that authorities do not expect them to be needed under normal conditions. “We don’t expect to have to use it,” Borg said, adding that the advice is meant to help households cope with a wide range of potential disruptions.
Greenland crisis preparedness and political context
Although the Greenland crisis guidelines were developed over an extended period, their release has drawn attention because of the broader political context. Trump recently renewed his rhetoric around Greenland’s strategic value, again raising the idea that the United States should acquire the Arctic territory from Denmark.
According to the Greenlandic government, work on the preparedness brochure began last year, driven mainly by recurring power outages and infrastructure challenges that have affected parts of the island. Greenland’s harsh climate, vast distances, and limited transport links mean that supply chains can be disrupted more easily than in many other countries.
However, the timing of the publication has amplified its political visibility. Trump’s comments, including remarks made during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, have placed Greenland at the center of renewed geopolitical discussion.
During the Davos speech, Trump said the United States would not use force to take over Greenland, offering some reassurance. At the same time, he argued that Greenland is “undefended” despite its strategic importance and called for immediate negotiations, saying the U.S. is best positioned to control the territory.
What the Greenland crisis guidelines recommend
The Greenland crisis guidelines advise households to stockpile essential supplies sufficient for five days. These include food that does not require refrigeration or cooking, along with a minimum of three liters of drinking water per person per day.
Additional recommended items include toilet paper, a battery-powered radio, and basic emergency equipment. Reflecting Greenland’s unique circumstances, the brochure also advises residents to ensure continued access to hunting weapons, ammunition, and fishing gear.
For many Greenlanders, particularly those living in remote settlements, hunting and fishing are not recreational activities but essential sources of food. The guidelines acknowledge this reality and are tailored to local conditions rather than modeled solely on emergency plans from larger or more densely populated countries.
Greenland population and infrastructure realities
Greenland has a population of approximately 57,000 people, nearly 90 percent of whom are Indigenous Inuit. Many communities are isolated, accessible only by air or sea, and rely on limited infrastructure. In these areas, weather conditions or technical failures can quickly disrupt deliveries of food, fuel, and other essentials.
Hunting and fishing remain deeply embedded in daily life and culture across Greenland. They also play a critical role in food security, particularly when supply chains are strained. The crisis guidelines reflect this dependence and aim to ensure households can remain self-reliant during short-term emergencies.
Greenland leadership on security risks
Earlier this week, Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, addressed concerns about Greenland’s security situation. He said that a military operation against Greenland was “unlikely,” while also noting that it could not be entirely ruled out.
As a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland does not control its own defense policy. Nielsen said that Greenland must still be prepared for a range of scenarios, even those considered remote.
Trump has repeatedly argued that acquiring Greenland would help counter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic and contribute to global stability. These claims have been rejected by Greenlandic leaders, who stress the territory’s right to self-determination.
Public opinion in Greenland
Public opinion in Greenland remains firmly opposed to becoming part of the United States. A poll conducted in January 2025 found that 85 percent of Greenlanders oppose joining the U.S., while only six percent expressed support for such a move.
Recent protests in Nuuk have highlighted this opposition, with demonstrators carrying signs rejecting U.S. claims over Greenland. The issue has reinforced long-standing concerns among Greenlanders about external pressure and control over their land and resources.
Focus on preparedness, not politics
Greenlandic officials have consistently said that the new crisis guidelines are not a political statement. Instead, they frame the document as a practical tool designed to help residents cope with emergencies ranging from power outages to severe weather events.
For Greenland’s leadership, the emphasis remains on preparedness and resilience. The guidelines aim to ensure that communities across Greenland can withstand short-term crises, regardless of whether they stem from infrastructure failures, natural events, or broader geopolitical uncertainty.
By encouraging households to be self-sufficient for five days, Greenland is reinforcing a long-standing tradition of self-reliance while adapting it to modern risks and realities.
