What does a state of emergency mean?

Question

When the government declares the country is in a state of emergency.

Answer 1

Well, I've never heard of the government declaring an entire country a state of emergency, but a state of emergency means that there is enough disaster in the area that they need more help.  If a state, such as Missouri is right now is declared a state of emergency by the federal government then the national guard and the Federal Emergency Management crew can come in and help with relief efforts, such as sand bagging, providing food and other services to those displaced and after the damage is assessed give people money and services to rebuild.

Answer 2

Simply put, it means that a particular government has to 'lock down' the country and resolve the internal problems which they are facing currently.

They have to lock it down so that outside / external influences do not add fuel to the current volatile situation in that country.

Once the situation improves, then the country will be opened to the International community.

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Answer 3

It means that the government can no longer handle the situation or is having a hard time. It needs and is calling urgent help for other governments, so that, damage/casualties will be minimized (rather than the government works alone).