These individuals are known as "doomsday preppers." In the UK, online communities dedicated to prepping are thriving, with some groups boasting over 23,000 members.

The demand for survival equipment in the UK surged after the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. Justin Jones, owner of a protective gear shop in London, reported selling a month's worth of inventory in a single day. Items like gas masks, hazmat suits, and iodine tablets (used to protect the thyroid gland from radiation) are constantly out of stock.

In the US, a 2023 survey revealed that 51% of Americans said they had "prepared for a disaster," and it's estimated that over 20 million people are actively engaged in "prepping."

Shelter builder Drew Miller noted a spike in membership applications following an assassination attempt on former President Trump, highlighting the growing sense of political unease.

From a societal perspective, prepping has evolved beyond a defensive reaction, becoming a symbol of proactiveness and status. Celebrities like Mark Zuckerberg, Kim Kardashian, and rapper Post Malone are rumored to have built private bunkers worth millions of USD.

Melanie Williams with her stockpile of food. Photo: Dailymail

Melanie Williams with her stockpile of food. Photo: Dailymail

The extent of prepping varies widely. Melanie Williams, a health consultant and mother of 6 in the UK, has a pantry stocked with food to cope with rising food prices, shortages, or power outages.

"We've all seen how quickly things can change. This isn't panic, it's being one step ahead," she said.

With a large family, Williams practices gradual stockpiling, simply buying an extra item or two, like beans, oats, or a bottle of cooking oil, each time she shops. "Rice, oats, and flour are stored in standardized food containers for long-term preservation and organization," she explained.

She also grows her own food and dedicates time to reading and learning survival skills. Her family is learning how to raise goats, chickens, and other animals for self-sufficiency. Williams’ long-term stockpiling habit stems from her mother, who always kept a three-to-six-month supply of food and necessities. The Covid-19 pandemic, during which her family remained well-supplied while others scrambled for essentials, further reinforced her commitment to this lifestyle.

27-year-old Charley Storey has spent the past two years preparing for worst-case scenarios—from natural disasters and illness to job loss, civil unrest, and martial law. She maintains a three-month supply of food, stored and rotated in her spare room to ensure freshness.

One of Storey's biggest concerns in a disaster is self-defense, given the UK's gun control laws. However, she has stockpiled legal weapons. "I have things here to protect my family," she stated.

In Ohio, US, Ryan, a father of two, has been prepping since he was 10, after a tornado devastated his hometown of Joplin, Missouri. "Tornadoes come quickly, and you have to be ready. Emergency preparedness has always been on my mind," he said.

Growing up in a motorhome instilled in him the importance of being prepared. His family had plans with neighbors, outlining actions for both sheltering in place and evacuating.

Beyond planning, Ryan emphasizes the importance of community: "You can have tons of beans, rice, and water. But if no one is there when you fall and hit your head, no one will save you."

Ryan with his wife and two children. Photo: Dailymail

Ryan with his wife and two children. Photo: Dailymail

Ryan's prepping focuses on practical skills like first aid and radio operation. He owns various firearms and bows, practicing regularly to maintain proficiency. His basement is stocked with food and water, regularly rotated to ensure freshness. He also keeps printed survival guides, detailing responses to disasters and water purification techniques. He has solar panels and batteries for radios, computers, and phones, providing light during power outages.

Additionally, he runs 12-20 km weekly and frequents the gym to maintain physical fitness for emergencies. He spends several hours each week reading survival books. "Most problems have already been written about. It's better to learn from real-world experiences beforehand," he shared.

Ryan revealed that the first gift he gave his wife was an emergency backpack containing medical supplies, spare clothes, and tire-changing tools.

Ryan reads many survival books. Photo: Dailymail

Ryan reads many survival books. Photo: Dailymail

Amidst global political instability, prepping advice is no longer confined to conspiracy theorists but is being issued by officials. Earlier this year, Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, urged citizens to prepare emergency kits.

She advised nearly half a billion people across 27 nations to assemble 72-hour first-aid kits, bottled water, energy bars, flashlights, and waterproof bags for important documents.

Bao Nhien (Dailymail)