EU citizens should store enough food and other necessary supplies to maintain the crisis for at least 72 hours, the European Commission said.
In a new guide released on Wednesday, March 26, the committee stressed the need for a change in mindset in Europe to promote a culture of “readiness” and “resilience”.
The 18-page document warns that Europe faces a new reality that is undermined by risk and uncertainty, citing the full-scale war in Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, disruption of critical infrastructure and electronic warfare are outstanding factors.
The initiative appears to be a wake-up call to the severity of the security situation of the group by member states.
Russia’s threat and Trump’s administration’s confrontational approach to Europe prompted European leaders to stress the need for war ready.
The Commission’s European Preparation Union Strategy says citizens across the continent should take practical measures to ensure they are ready in emergencies. This includes having enough essentials to last for at least three days, the document said. “In the case of extreme destruction, the initial period is the most critical,” it said.
The document states that, in general, civilians should be encouraged to develop self-reliance and psychological resilience.
The committee also calls for the introduction of “preparation” courses in school curriculum, including providing students with skills to fight disinformation and information manipulation.
“The new reality requires a new level of preparation in Europe,” said Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. “Our citizens, our member states and our operations need the right tools to act to prevent crises and respond quickly when disaster strikes.”
