EU tells citizens to stockpile three days of supplies in case of attack or disaster

Outlining its first preparedness strategy, the European Commission said it wanted to encourage citizens to take “proactive measures to prepare for crises, such as developing household emergency plans and stockpiling essential supplies”.

"We must prepare for large-scale, cross-sectoral incidents and crises, including the possibility of armed aggression, affecting one or more member states,” the document states.

EU crisis management commissioner Hadja Lahbib formally presented the idea on Wednesday as part of a broader "preparedness strategy" for the bloc.

In practice, Brussels would like every citizen to be equipped for 72 hours of self-sufficiency, said Lahbib, in line with a key report last year on strengthening Europe's civilian and military preparedness.

"Knowing what to do in case of danger, gaming out different scenarios, that's also a way to prevent people from panicking," said Lahbib -- recalling shelves being raided clean of toilet paper in the early days of the pandemic for instance.

Households would be urged to stock up on a dozen key items -- also including matches and ID documents in a waterproof pouch for instance -- as part of their "resilience" kit.

And the EU wants to promote a "national preparedness day" -- aimed at ensuring member states are on track with the plans.

"All of this comes in addition to national strategies," Lahbib said. "It's about better coordinating, supporting member states in their strategies."

In a video posted on the site X Lahbib is seen preparing her own emergency bag that includes a matches, cash, food, identity documents and a penknife.

The "preparedness" strategy -- and the survival kit in particular -- draws on the recommendations of a report presented to the European Commission by Finland's former president Sauli Niinisto late last year.

It also takes inspiration from the example of Scandinavia, where Finland, Sweden and Denmark have all stepped up efforts to prepare households for the possibility of a future crisis or conflict -- as Ukraine fights the grinding three-year Russian invasion.

In a letter to EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, three lawmakers from the European Parliament's centrist group Renew urged the commission to go further by sending a handbook to every household in the bloc on preparing for "various crises, from potential conflict to climate disasters, pandemics and cyberthreats."

Certain countries in Europe, especially Nordic countries, already advice their citizens to stockpile certain goods in the event of a crisis.

Swedish authorities tell residents to always have enough supplies at home to see the household through one to two weeks if needed and in Norway the Norwegian Civil Defence keeps guidelines of what residents should keep in their homes for emergencies.

The French government recently announced it would send out a survival pamphlet to all residents and Germany is encouraging residents to create protective shelters in their homes by converting basements and garages.

Today, the EU launches its new #Preparedness Strategy.

“Ready for anything” — this must be our new European way of life. Our motto and #hashtag. pic.twitter.com/fA1z8ZvMDA