Bottled water, energy bars, a flashlight, and more: the European Union is advocating for every household in its 27-member bloc to prepare a three-day survival kit in the event of a crisis, whether it be a conflict or a natural disaster.
EU crisis management commissioner Hadja Lahbib informed AFP that this initiative will be formally unveiled tomorrow as a component of a wider “preparedness strategy” for the union.
Ms. Lahbib stated that the goal is for every citizen to be ready for 72 hours of self-sufficiency.
This initiative aligns with a significant report from last year focused on enhancing Europe’s civilian and military readiness.
This follows the lead of Scandinavian countries that have increased their preparation efforts since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.
Households will be encouraged to gather a dozen essential items, including matches and identification documents stored in a waterproof pouch, as part of their “resilience” kits.
The EU also aims to establish a “national preparedness day” to ensure that member states are adhering to these plans.
“This initiative complements existing national strategies,” Ms. Lahbib remarked.
She further commented, “It’s about better coordination and supporting member states in their strategies.”
The “preparedness” strategy — particularly the survival kit — is based on recommendations from a report presented to the European Commission by Finland’s former president, Sauli Niinistö, late last year.
In addition, it draws inspiration from Scandinavian nations, where Finland, Sweden, and Denmark have ramped up efforts to prepare households for potential future crises or conflicts amidst Russia’s three-year invasion of Ukraine.
In a letter to EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, three members of the European Parliament’s centrist group Renew urged the Commission to take further action by distributing a handbook to every household in the bloc on how to prepare for “various crises, ranging from potential conflicts to climate disasters, pandemics, and cyber threats.”
