BRUSSELS: The European Commission has urged citizens across the European Union (EU) to stockpile essential supplies, including food, water, and medical necessities, to sustain themselves for at least 72 hours in the event of a potential crisis such as war, cyberattacks, or natural disasters.
The recommendation is part of the EU’s first-ever preparedness strategy, which outlines measures to enhance resilience and response capabilities across the 27-member bloc.
The document, published on Wednesday, underscores the increasing complexity of global crises and calls for a shift in mindset to foster a culture of “preparedness” and “resilience.”
New preparedness strategy
In the 18-page document, the European Commission warns that Europe is facing a new reality of heightened risks, citing the Russia-Ukraine war, rising geopolitical tensions, sabotage of critical infrastructure, and electronic warfare as key concerns.
“New realities require a new level of preparedness in Europe,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement.
“Our citizens, our Member States, and our businesses need the right tools to act both to prevent crises and to react swiftly when a disaster hits.”
Stockpiling and emergency preparedness
The Commission asked households to keep a resilience kit containing a dozen key items, including food, water, a flashlight, ID documents in a waterproof pouch, a Swiss army knife, medication, and a battery-powered radio.
Hadja Lahbib, the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management and Preparedness, emphasised the importance of self-sufficiency in the initial phase of a crisis.
“We must prepare for large-scale, cross-sectoral incidents and crises, including the possibility of armed aggression affecting one or more member states,” she said while presenting the strategy in Brussels.
Lahbib further stated that European citizens should adopt a proactive approach to preparedness, recalling how panic buying during the COVID-19 pandemic led to shortages of essential supplies.
“Knowing what to do in case of danger, gaming out different scenarios—that’s also a way to prevent people from panicking,” she noted.
In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Lahbib demonstrated her own emergency bag, which included food, cash, identity documents, a flashlight, and a penknife.
She also proposed an EU-wide Preparedness Day to raise awareness and ensure that national strategies align with the broader European response framework.
Lessons from Nordic countries
The strategy draws inspiration from Nordic countries such as Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, which already advise citizens to maintain emergency supplies.
Swedish authorities, for instance, recommend households keep enough provisions for up to two weeks, while Norway’s Civil Defence provides detailed guidelines on preparedness.
Germany and France have also taken steps in recent years to enhance public readiness. The French government recently announced plans to distribute survival pamphlets to all residents, while Germany is encouraging citizens to create protective shelters in their homes.
EU’s crisis readiness
While the EU lacks direct powers over civilian or military services, the bloc has been expanding its role in crisis management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Commission coordinated the purchase of billions of vaccine doses for member states.
However, a report last year by Finland’s former President Sauli Niinistö found that the EU had “no clear plan on what to do in the event of armed aggression against a Member State.”
Niinistö, now a special adviser to von der Leyen, acknowledged that the EU is better prepared than before the pandemic but stressed the need for a more structured approach to crisis readiness.
“In the face of a more dangerous world, the union must adopt a shift in mindset on preparedness,” he stated.
