Navigating Potential Wartime Scenarios: A Guide to Safety and Security
In the face of potential conflict, many people are concerned about safety and security. This article aims to provide information and guidance based on observations from current and past conflicts, like the Russia-Ukraine war, to help individuals make informed decisions regarding their safety and living arrangements in the event of war in Taiwan. It's important to note that this is not a political discussion but rather a practical guide based on available information.
Learning from Current Conflicts
We can learn from ongoing conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war. Observing their strategies and the impact on civilian life can provide valuable insights into potential scenarios in Taiwan. The goal is to understand patterns and prepare accordingly, focusing on practical steps for personal and family safety.
Key Considerations for Safety
Several factors contribute to safety and security during wartime. These include access to essential services, proximity to strategic locations, and the ability to maintain a basic standard of living.
1. Identifying Your Power Grid Group
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Check your Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) bill: Look for your assigned power outage group (A to J).
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Priority Power Supply (H Group): If you are in the H group, you are fortunate. This group prioritizes power to critical infrastructure like national defense, transportation, hospitals, and government facilities. This means you are less likely to experience power outages and more likely to have power restored quickly in the event of disruptions.
2. Assessing Proximity to Critical Infrastructure
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Distance from Key Targets: Determine the distance between your home and potential military targets such as military bases, airports, naval ports, and fuel depots.
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Utilize AI Tools: Use specialized AI search engines like Perplexity to identify nearby strategic locations. These tools can provide surprisingly accurate information.
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Recommended Distance: Aim for a minimum of 5 kilometers (approximately 3.1 miles) from these targets for added safety.
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Understanding the Risks: Military installations, especially ammunition and fuel depots, are prime targets and could be devastated quickly in the event of conflict.
3. Ensuring Access to Essential Services
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Proximity to Essential Amenities: Ensure your home is within 3 kilometers (approximately 1.9 miles) of essential services like supermarkets, clinics, and gas stations.
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Importance of the "Golden Zone": Living in a highly functional area with readily available supplies and services provides a significant advantage during emergencies.
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Emergency Supplies: Prepare a minimum of 72 hours (three days) worth of emergency supplies, including food and water. This is in line with European Union recommendations.
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Food: Prioritize non-perishable items like instant noodles.
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Water: Ensure you have an adequate supply of potable water for drinking and sanitation.
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Medications: Stock up on essential medications and first-aid supplies.
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The Importance of Urban Centers
Contrary to the idea of seeking refuge in remote areas, urban centers, particularly in "golden zone" areas, offer the best chance of survival during conflict.
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Government Support and Resources: The government is most likely to focus its resources and protection efforts on densely populated urban areas. This includes maintaining essential services, providing security, and distributing aid.
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Access to Essential Services: Cities are more likely to have functioning hospitals, utilities, and supply chains, providing access to critical resources.
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Learning from Ukraine: In the Russia-Ukraine war, life continues in major cities like Kyiv, demonstrating the resilience and importance of urban centers during conflict.
Understanding Supermarket Dynamics in Times of Crisis
Supermarkets and convenience stores play a critical role in providing essential supplies during emergencies.
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Potential Nationalization: In times of crisis, the government may nationalize convenience stores to provide essential goods to the public.
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Ensuring Access: This could involve providing free access to essential items to those in need.
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Coordination: Major convenience store chains (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, OK Mart) would likely participate in such a program.
Homeownership in Central Areas
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Renters Beware: In times of crises, renters may face challenges as landlords may prioritize housing family members fleeing from rural areas.
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Importance of Owning Property: Owning property in core urban areas provides stability and security during emergencies.
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Location of Property: If a person owns property in Ukraine's seventeenth largest city, it may be of little use. Property in cities such as Kyiv, however, may become a shelter for the owner and their extended family.
The Potential for Rapid Conflict Resolution
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Fast-Paced Warfare: There is a school of thought that future conflicts may resolve themselves so quickly, that they are over before civilian populations can react.
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Ideal Situation: For civilians, such a fast resolution would be ideal because civilian populations would experience few disruptions.
Strategic Considerations for Property Investment
When considering property investment, especially in the context of potential conflict, focus on properties near hospitals in central locations.
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Resale Value: This is to consider that if the situation becomes dire, potential home owners will consider purchasing near essential services, thus increasing the value of these properties.
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Ethical Consideration: It is unlikely that potential aggressors would bomb a hospital.
By carefully considering these factors, individuals can make informed decisions about their safety and living arrangements in the event of conflict, prioritizing access to essential services, proximity to key resources, and the long-term security of their families.