The following list of 100 items that disappear first during a war was originally compiled by a survivor of the Siege of Sarajevo and later shared online, drawing from firsthand experience of living through prolonged urban conflict.
For convenience, I’ve included Amazon links throughout the list in case you want to stock up now while these items are still readily available.
Generators
Water Filters/Purifiers
Portable Toilets
Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
Fuel / Gasoline. Impossible to stockpile too much.
Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
Rice - Beans - Wheat
Vegetable Oil (for cooking)
Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.)
Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.
Survival Guide Book.
Mantles (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
Baby Supplies
Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
Vitamins
Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
Bow saw , Axe , Hatchet , Honing Oil
Aluminum Foil Regular & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towel.
Milk (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
Clothing Supplies (A MUST)
Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
Tuna Fish (in oil)
Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
First aid kits
Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
AA and AAA , C , Lithium
Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
Flour, yeast & salt
Matches. (Strike Anywhere preferred) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
Writing supplies
Insulated ice chests (for keeping items cold in summer and warm in winter.)
Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns
Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
Plastic Garbage cans (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
Hygiene products
Shampoo, Toothbrush , Mouthwash , Nail clippers , Floss
Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
Fishing supplies/tools
Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
Coils , Repellent , Spray , Anti-itch Cream
Duct Tape (ESSENTIAL)
Camping/Outdoors supplies
Candles
Laundry Detergent
Backpacks, Duffel Bags
Garden tools & supplies
Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
Starter Kit , Jars , Lids , Pressure Canner
Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
Tires , Pump , Chains , Repair kit
Sleeping Supplies
Sleeping Bags , Blankets , Pillows , Mats
Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Board Games, Cards, Dice
Rodent Repellent
Pest Control
Paper dishware (stock up, folks)
Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
Rain gear
Shaving supplies
Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
Sauces, Soups and Bouillon
Reading glasses
Water enhancers
"Survival-in-a-Can"
Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
Boy Scout Handbook
Roll-on Window Insulation Kit
Dried Foods
Snacks & Spreads
Popcorn , Peanut Butter , Nuts
Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
Lumber (all types)
Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
Cots & Inflatable mattress's
Gloves
Lantern Hangers
Repairs
Screen Patches , Glue , Nails , Screws , Nuts & Bolts
Teas
Coffee
Ground , Whole beans , Instant
Cigarettes (Also good for Trading)
Wine/Liquors (for trading, medicinal, etc,)
Paraffin wax
Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
Chewing gum/candies
Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
Hats & cotton neckerchiefs (Sun Protection)
Goats/chickens
From a Sarajevo War Survivor: Experiencing horrible things that can happen in a war - death of parents and friends, hunger and malnutrition, endless freezing cold, fear, sniper attacks.
Stockpiling helps. but you never know how long trouble will last, so locate near renewable food sources.
Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden.
After a while, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war quite like toilet paper. Its surplus value is greater than gold's.
If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity, it's the easiest to do without
Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy, it makes a lot of the dry unappetizing things you find to eat in war somewhat edible. Only needs enough heat to "warm", not to cook. It's cheap too, especially if you buy it in bulk.
Bring some books - escapist ones like romance or mysteries become more valuable as the war continues. Sure, it's great to have a lot of survival guides, but you'll figure most of that out on your own anyway - trust me, you'll have a lot of time on your hands.
The feeling that you're human can fade pretty fast. I can't tell you how many people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to lose your humanity. These things are morale-builders like nothing else.
Slow burning candles and matches, matches, matches
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