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Brussels has put forward a recommendation urging EU households to have enough basic supplies on hand to last for at least 72 hours during a crisis. This comes as a reaction to Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the increasingly tense global atmosphere, prompting the EU to bolster its security measures.
The unrelenting situation in Ukraine, the hard lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic regarding crisis management, and the adversarial approach of the Trump administration towards Europe have all pushed the continent to reassess its weaknesses and ramp up its defense and security spending.
In light of warnings from European intelligence agencies about potential threats from Russia targeting an EU member state within the next three to five years, the EU’s latest strategy addresses not just human-made dangers but also natural disasters like floods and wildfires, exacerbated by climate change, along with societal challenges such as economic upheavals.
On Wednesday, the European Commission highlighted the growing risks, including the real possibility of armed aggression against member states. Alongside this announcement, they rolled out a comprehensive 30-step blueprint designed to boost crisis preparedness among its 27 member nations.
“Europe’s new circumstances demand a heightened level of readiness,” remarked Ursula von der Leyen, president of the commission. “We need to equip our citizens, member states, and businesses with the necessary tools to fend off crises and respond quickly when disaster strikes.”
This Brussels-led initiative draws inspiration from well-established crisis management frameworks in countries like Finland, Sweden, and Belgium. It aims partly to raise awareness among countries with less robust response capabilities.
In the plan, citizens are encouraged to take practical steps—such as keeping at least 72 hours’ worth of essential supplies ready for emergencies. The commission also proposes setting up an “EU crisis hub” to coordinate multi-nation responses effectively.
Further, the initiative stresses the importance of stockpiling crucial gear and resources and ensuring the continuity of critical services—like healthcare, water supply, and telecommunications—in times of war or disaster.
Reflecting on a report released last October and commissioned by the EU, Sauli Niinistö, Finland’s former president, highlighted how Europe became complacent about its security since the end of the Cold War, thus leaving it exposed.
Kaja Kallas, the commission’s vice-president for foreign and security policy, emphasized, “We are encountering a rise in outside security pressures and a surge of hybrid attacks. It’s imperative for Europe to solidify its defenses across all areas and levels of society because it’s always preferable to avert crises rather than cope with their aftermath.”
