Citizens in the Netherlands are ill prepared for a cyber attack or other type of disaster which might paralyse the country, experts have said ahead of a national awareness campaign starting on Thursday.

Society needs to become more ‘resilient’ and people need to be capable of coping for at least 48 hours in case of a disaster, national terrorism prevention and safety coordinator Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg told the Parool.

‘I remember the then minister Guusje ter Horst’s 2009 campaign for an emergency pack for every home, with a battery powered radio, candles and a first aid kit. That awareness needs to come back,’ he said.

Aalbersberg said the need to prepare is more urgent than ever because cyber attacks are increasing. The Netherlands is extra vulnerable because of its advanced digital technology and lack of analogue alternatives, he said.

The government is not going to distribute emergency packs, justice minister Eric van der Burg told the paper, but there will be a dedicated website from Thursday.

The website Denkvooruit.nl (think ahead) will include tips like like ‘stocking up on candles, batteries for your torch or a dynamo-powered torch which will always work in case of outages,’ Van der Burg said.