EU Advises Citizens to Accumulate Food Supplies

The bloc has recommended that its population maintains a 3-day emergency supply kit to be prepared for potential crises.

The European Union has urged its 450 million citizens to stock essential supplies sufficient to last at least 72 hours, citing a rise in threats from war, cyberattacks, climate change, and disease.

EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib noted on Wednesday that the recommendation is part of a broader strategy to enhance civil preparedness within the EU. While she did not explicitly mention Russia, she emphasized that the situation in Ukraine poses a direct risk to European security.

"For three years in Ukraine, we have seen a battlefield of bombs, and bullets, drones, fighter planes, trenches and submarines. Yes, our European security is directly threatened by this," Lahbib stated.

Many EU nations have consistently identified Moscow as a major threat to regional stability. Countries like France, Poland, the Baltic states, and Finland have expressed concerns regarding alleged Russian cyberattacks, disinformation efforts, and political meddling. They have depicted the Ukraine conflict as a case of aggressive behavior that represents a military threat to the bloc.

Moscow has routinely refuted any intentions to target NATO countries or the EU. Russian President Vladimir Putin has labeled such assertions as “nonsense” designed to instill fear in European populations and prompt increases in military expenditures.

“We want people to be ready, not to panic,” Lahbib remarked. “Preparedness is not fearmongering – it is common sense in a time of uncertainty.”

As part of the strategy, the EU is advising households to prepare essential supplies that include non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, batteries, first-aid kits, and important documents. Additionally, citizens are encouraged to have access to a shortwave radio for use in case of power or communication outages.

The EU is also planning to establish a strategic reserve of vital resources, such as firefighting aircraft, medical transport, mobile hospitals, and stockpiles of protective equipment for incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

“Today’s threats facing Europe are more complex than ever, and they are all interconnected,” Lahbib commented. “From war on our borders to increasingly frequent climate disasters, the EU must be ready to face the unexpected.”

This initiative aligns with existing practices in countries like Finland and Sweden, where civil defense preparations and emergency protocols are more ingrained. Sweden, for instance, recently revised its ‘If Crisis or War Comes’ handbook to address contemporary scenarios, including responses to nuclear threats.

The Commission’s proposed plan includes establishing an EU-level crisis hub to facilitate cross-border coordination and ensure the continuity of essential services, ranging from healthcare to energy and telecommunications.

Max Fischer for TROIB News

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