EU urges citizens to prepare for potential crises

The European Union has called on its 450 million citizens to stockpile food, water, and other essential supplies to last at least 72 hours. This warning comes amid rising threats from war, cyberattacks, climate change, and disease, which increase the risk of crises across the continent.

The call to action reflects a broader reassessment of security within the bloc, especially following warnings from the Trump administration that Europe needs to take greater responsibility for its own safety. In recent years, the EU has grappled with challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, with negotiations indicating that tensions may escalate further. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has also suggested that Russia could launch a new attack in Europe by 2030.

"The threats facing Europe today are more complex than ever, and they are all interconnected," stated Hadja Lahbib, the Commissioner for Crisis Management, while unveiling a new strategy for addressing future disasters.

While the EU aims to avoid sounding alarmist, Lahbib emphasized the importance of ensuring that people have essential supplies for at least 72 hours during a crisis. She recommended stockpiling food, water, flashlights, identification documents, medications, and shortwave radios.

Additionally, Lahbib suggested that the EU should establish a "strategic reserve" to store vital resources, including firefighting aircraft, medical and energy equipment, and specialized resources to counter chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

The EU's initiatives are reminiscent of those undertaken by countries such as France, Finland, and Sweden. Last year, Sweden updated its civil emergency guidelines from the Cold War era to better reflect current security realities, particularly regarding responses to potential nuclear attacks.

However, not all EU member states have the same level of crisis preparedness, and the Commission is keen to encourage better coordination among countries in times of emergency. "We can no longer rely on ad-hoc responses," Lahbib concluded.