The European Union advises its 450 million citizens to prepare for potential crises by stockpiling supplies like food and water for a minimum of 72 hours. This recommendation comes as the 27-nation bloc reevaluates its security strategies in the face of growing threats from war, cyberattacks, climate change, and disease.
Why Stockpiling is Essential
Preparedness and Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib emphasized that “today’s threats facing Europe are more complex than ever, and they are all interconnected.” The EU’s call for preparedness reflects a changing global landscape marked by increasing instability and interconnected risks, including:
- The recent COVID-19 pandemic
- Ongoing tensions with Russia and energy security concerns
- NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s warning about potential Russian attacks by 2030
- Climate change impacts
What to Stockpile
Ms. Lahbib specifically recommended that citizens prepare the following essentials:
- Food and water
- Flashlights/torches
- Identification papers
- Medicine
- Shortwave radios
These supplies should be sufficient to sustain households for at least 72 hours during an emergency.
EU Strategic Reserves
Beyond individual preparedness, Ms. Lahbib stated the EU should build up its own “strategic reserve,” including:
- Firefighting planes
- Medical equipment
- Energy and transport equipment
- Specialized assets against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats
“We can no longer rely on ad hoc reactions,” she warned when introducing the new EU strategy designed to enhance disaster preparedness and response.
Implementing the Advisory
The EU’s plans align with similar initiatives already established in France, Finland, and Sweden. In 2024, Sweden updated its Cold War-era civil emergency advice “to better reflect today’s security policy reality,” including guidance on what to do in case of nuclear attack.
However, not all EU countries currently maintain the same level of crisis preparedness. The commission aims to encourage better coordination between member nations in case of emergencies, understanding that preparedness levels vary across the bloc.
This guidance reflects the EU’s commitment to enhancing resilience across the continent as it faces an increasingly unpredictable global security environment.