EU pushes citizens to prepare for crises with 72‑hour supplies
The European Union is urging its citizens to prepare for a potential crisis. This includes, among other things, stockpiling food and necessary supplies for at least 72 hours in case of emergency. This is part of the EU strategy announced on Wednesday.
What do you need to know?
- The European Union has announced a new strategy to prepare citizens for potential crises such as pandemics, floods, or hybrid attacks.
- The European Commission recommends stockpiling food, water, and medicine for at least 72 hours to endure such a crisis's initial and most challenging period.
- The strategy also includes education on preparedness, including introducing lessons into school curricula to raise citizens' awareness.
The so-called Preparedness Union - presented on Wednesday by the European Commission - aims to address recent crises that the European Union has encountered and continues to face, from the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, and droughts to the war in Ukraine and increasing hybrid attacks, especially from Russia. Emphasis is placed on the dangers of sabotage, arson, and cyberattacks destabilizing the Community's operations.
Brussels' initiative is intended to be a wake-up call for member states. The strategy recommends that citizens across the continent take practical steps to prepare for potential crises. The document highlights that the initial period is the most critical in extreme threats.
Supplies of food, water, and medicine
Among key actions, the EC highlighted the role of promoting preparedness among citizens. In practice, this means encouraging them to stockpile basic supplies (food, medicine, water) for at least 72 hours in case of a crisis. According to Eurobarometer studies, 50% of EU citizens would be without water and food after three days.
The strategy also includes incorporating preparedness lessons into school programs. As EU sources stated, it's about people knowing how to behave when alarm sirens start sounding.
The EU also wants to facilitate the implementation of dual-use investments such as building roads and railways, which could efficiently transport soldiers or heavy military equipment in addition to civilian transport.
Updates to emergency plans in EU countries
Recommendations from the European Commission come after individual countries update their emergency plans.
Germany updated its Framework Directive for Comprehensive Defence in June last year, indicating what to do in a European conflict. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized that these plans are essential to better prepare for Russian aggression, as CNN reported.
