EU urges citizens to brace for potential crisis scenarios
The European Union is urging its citizens to prepare for a potential crisis. This includes stockpiling food and other necessary supplies for at least three days in case of danger, as 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 three days to survive the initial, most challenging period of such a crisis.
- The strategy also includes education on preparedness, including introducing lessons into school curricula to increase citizens' awareness.
The so-called Preparedness Union, presented on Wednesday by the European Commission, aims to respond to recent crises that the European Union has faced and continues to face, from the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, and droughts to the war in Ukraine and increasing hybrid attacks, especially from Russia. Emphasised are the dangers of sabotage, arson, and cyberattacks destabilising the Community's operations.
Brussels' initiative is meant to be a wake-up call for member states. The strategy recommends that citizens across the continent take practical steps to prepare for potential crisis situations. The document emphasises that in extreme threats, the initial period is the most critical.
Supplies of food, water, and medicine
Among the 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 three days in case of a crisis. According to Eurobarometer studies, currently, 50% of EU citizens would be without water and food after three days.
The strategy also includes incorporating preparedness lessons into school programmes. According to EU sources, the key issue is ensuring that people know how to respond appropriately when alarm sirens go off
The EU also wants to facilitate the implementation of dual-use investments such as building roads and railways, which, in addition to civilian transport, could also be used to efficiently transport soldiers or heavy military equipment.
Updates to emergency plans in EU countries
Recommendations from the European Commission come after individual countries update their emergency plans.
In June of last year, Germany updated its Framework Directive for Comprehensive Defence, indicating what to do in the event of a conflict in Europe. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasised that these plans are essential to better prepare for Russian aggression, reports CNN.
