People across Portugal can now use a mobile app to prepare emergency supplies and plan how to respond to natural disasters, power cuts and other crises.
The app, called K72 SMPC Montijo, was developed by Carlos Batista in coordination with the Municipal Civil Protection Service of Montijo. Although it was created in the municipality, it is designed for use by people throughout Portugal.
The name combines the letter K, referring to a kit, with 72, the number of hours for which people are encouraged to have essential supplies ready. The first three days after a disaster are considered particularly critical, especially when earthquakes, floods or other emergencies leave people without access to basic services.
Batista, a documentary filmmaker, director of photography and drone operator who also coordinates the Local Civil Protection Unit of Montijo and Afonsoeiro, said he wanted to create a practical tool that would encourage people to prepare rather than simply provide information.
“There is a lot of information on how to act in emergency situations, but it is not always easy to turn it into concrete measures in our daily lives,” he said. He hopes the app will help users take their first steps towards preparedness before an emergency occurs.
André Morais, coordinator of Montijo’s Municipal Civil Protection Service, said the aim was to help people translate their knowledge of potential risks into practical plans. This includes agreeing how family members will communicate, identifying meeting points and considering who might need assistance.
The app guides users through preparing different backpacks for emergencies at home, evacuation, travel by car and the needs of pets. It provides itemised checklists, allowing users to record what they already own and identify missing supplies.
An evacuation backpack, for example, includes 45 recommended items covering water, food, shelter, fire-related equipment, cutting tools, ropes, hygiene products, medicines, communication devices, power supplies, personal documents and navigation.
Suggested equipment includes LifeStraw water filters, purification tablets, portable power stations and devices for accessing the Meshcore communication network, which can help people stay connected when conventional mobile networks are unavailable.
K72 also allows users to create a family emergency plan, receive Civil Protection alerts and maintain an inventory of stored supplies. It can warn when food and medicines are approaching their expiry dates.
The app contains short instructions covering emergencies such as urban fires, toxic gas incidents, earthquakes, extreme heat and cold, prolonged water and electricity outages, and flooding.
It can operate without an internet connection, provided the mobile device has battery power. Information entered by users remains stored on their own devices, with no external database or data sharing.
The project follows the European Commission’s preparedness strategy, presented in March 2025, which encouraged citizens across the European Union to keep essential supplies ready for at least 72 hours in the event of a disaster or other major crisis.
