Artificial intelligence has identified five countries that could offer some of the strongest chances of coping with a major global disaster, as a former senior FBI official urges Americans to prepare for emergencies.
From international conflict and extreme weather to potential disruptions to electricity, water and food supplies, governments worldwide have been encouraging households to think about how they would manage during a crisis.
Now, an AI-generated assessment reported by UNILAD has highlighted five countries with characteristics that could make them more resilient to certain disasters.
Factors considered include geographical isolation, access to freshwater, agricultural production, reliable infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
However, the list is not an official scientific ranking, and no country can be guaranteed to remain safe during every possible global emergency.
What did the former FBI official say about stockpiling supplies?
Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino urged Americans to prepare emergency supplies during an episode of The Dan Bongino Show on October 26.
His warning followed growing attention on government preparedness campaigns in countries including the United Kingdom and Japan.
Bongino encouraged households to consider keeping enough essential supplies to manage an extended disruption, discussing preparations for as long as 30 days.
Among the items he recommended were emergency food, batteries, a battery-powered radio and equipment for collecting and filtering water.
"Get your stuff today. Please. Do it for your family," he told listeners.
Bongino argued that preparing in advance could help families remain calm if essential services became unavailable.
He also referenced Pentagon efforts to improve the ability of military installations to operate independently during infrastructure disruptions.
However, Bongino is no longer employed by the FBI, and his comments were personal recommendations rather than an official warning from the agency about an imminent disaster.
What are the five safest countries to survive a global disaster?
According to the AI-generated assessment reported by UNILAD, the following five countries could have advantages during certain large-scale emergencies.
1. New Zealand
New Zealand's remote location is one of its most significant advantages.
Situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the country is separated from many major population centres and potential conflict zones by vast stretches of water.
It also has substantial agricultural production, freshwater resources and access to renewable electricity.
These factors could help the country maintain essential supplies during disruptions to international trade.
However, New Zealand remains vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic activity and other natural hazards, meaning geographical isolation does not make it immune to disasters.
2. Iceland
Iceland is another island nation whose geographical position could offer advantages during some international emergencies.
Its electricity supply is generated almost entirely from renewable sources, particularly hydropower and geothermal energy.
That gives the country considerable domestic energy resources, potentially reducing its exposure to disruptions in imported fossil fuels.
Iceland also has abundant freshwater resources and a relatively small population.
However, its dependence on imported goods and exposure to volcanic activity are important vulnerabilities.
3. Switzerland
Switzerland's reputation for political neutrality and its extensive civil protection infrastructure helped secure its place on the list.
The country maintains hundreds of thousands of public and private civil defence shelters, with sufficient capacity to accommodate approximately its entire population.
Its mountainous geography, freshwater resources, strong healthcare system and well-developed emergency services are additional advantages.
Nevertheless, Switzerland's position in central Europe means it could still be affected by wider regional disruptions, even without becoming directly involved in a conflict.
4. Norway
Norway has significant freshwater resources and generates most of its electricity through hydropower.
The country also benefits from extensive fishing industries, domestic energy production and relatively low population density.
These characteristics could help support essential services during certain emergencies.
Norway has also invested in civil preparedness, with authorities encouraging households to maintain emergency supplies.
However, its NATO membership, proximity to Russia and reliance on international supply chains mean it is not insulated from geopolitical risks.
5. Finland
Finland has developed extensive emergency preparedness arrangements, reflecting its long-standing focus on national resilience.
The country maintains civil defence shelters, strategic supplies and systems designed to help essential services continue during major disruptions.
Its forests, freshwater resources and domestic agricultural production could also provide advantages during certain crises.
Finland's preparedness planning involves cooperation between government agencies, businesses and communities.
However, its long border with Russia means geographical and security considerations remain significant.
Why are governments telling people to prepare emergency supplies?
Emergency preparedness advice is intended to help households manage temporary disruptions without immediately relying on outside assistance.
In October 2026, the UK government launched a renewed preparedness campaign encouraging households to maintain enough essential supplies for at least 72 hours.
Other countries have issued similar guidance covering disruptions caused by severe weather, cyberattacks, natural disasters and other emergencies.
In the United States, the federal Ready.gov programme also recommends maintaining an emergency kit containing water, non-perishable food, lighting, communications equipment and essential medication.
Such guidance is not evidence that authorities know a specific global catastrophe is approaching.
Instead, the recommendations are designed to make households more resilient to a range of possible emergencies.
Does AI really know which countries would survive a global disaster?
Although the five countries share several characteristics associated with resilience, the AI-generated list should not be interpreted as a definitive prediction.
Different disasters would affect countries in different ways.
A pandemic, nuclear conflict, prolonged power outage or major volcanic eruption could each produce very different outcomes.
Some countries with strong agricultural systems could still struggle with medical supplies, fuel or imported technology, while geographically isolated nations could face difficulties accessing international assistance.
The assessment is therefore best understood as a discussion of potential advantages rather than a guarantee of survival.
For individuals concerned about emergencies, the more immediate advice is to follow official local guidance and maintain reasonable supplies of food, water, medication and essential equipment.
As Bongino's recent comments illustrate, emergency preparedness is attracting renewed attention, even though no specific worldwide disaster has been confirmed as imminent.
