The European Commission is presenting a new civil preparedness strategy this Wednesday which, for the first time, urges all households in the European Union (EU) to have basic emergency supplies to survive for at least 72 hours without external assistance.
Among the recommendations are water, medications, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, chargers, a radio, glasses, cash, and even a deck of cards.
The document, which has been accessed by the newspaper El País, is part of the European Preparedness Strategy for serious crises, which can range from war or a nuclear accident to natural disasters, pandemics, or cyberattacks.
Brussels seeks to strengthen the response capability of member states and their citizens in the face of a growing sense of global vulnerability.
Preparing for the unthinkable
The draft of the strategy emphasizes that "in a context of increasing natural and anthropogenic risks, and the deterioration of security prospects for Europe, it is urgent for the EU and its member states to strengthen their preparedness."
Although crisis management will largely continue to depend on national, regional, and local governments, the European Commission intends to play an active role in coordination, information, and logistical support, especially in large-scale scenarios such as floods, wildfires, or hybrid attacks.
According to the Commissioner for Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, member states "can no longer face" major threats alone.
He also emphasized the value of cooperation and joint learning, based on the experience accumulated from crises such as the pandemic, recent natural disasters, or the war in Ukraine.
Lahbib presented a European 'emergency kit' in a casual video, which includes items like glasses, a lighter, a Swiss army knife, his medication, water, food, a radio, a flashlight, portable chargers, cash, and a deck of cards. "The credit card might just be a piece of plastic," the commissioner jokes while mentioning possible power outages.
Beyond the humor, the strategy emphasizes the need for European families to be prepared to act on their own for at least three days, especially those living in high-risk areas. "Families living in flood-prone areas must know what to do when the waters rise," reminded the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
PreparEU: platform for emergencies
As part of the plan, the launch of PreparEU is included, a digital platform (web and app) that will provide alerts, information, and personalized warnings to European citizens and tourists, tailored to the specific risks of each region. The goal is for it to be fully operational by 2026.
In addition, the action plan includes 30 practical measures aimed at strengthening the reaction capacity of member countries.
Among them are the basic provisioning of citizens for the first 72 hours of a crisis, minimum preparedness standards for hospitals, schools, transportation, and telecommunications; improvement in the storage of critical resources such as water, food, and medicines; and even the assessment of access to shelters and safe spaces in case of disasters.
Although Brussels clarifies that it does not intend to create alarm, the language of the document reflects a rhetoric of preparation for extreme scenarios. "The new reality is marked by increasing risks and profound uncertainty," asserts the Commission.
And in Spain?
The government of Pedro Sánchez has also signaled its alignment with this vision of a more autonomous and resilient Europe.
The president has recently expressed his support for the creation of a European Army and is working on a national plan to boost the defense industry as part of a new framework for common security.
Frequently Asked Questions about the EU Civil Preparedness Strategy
What is the European Union Civil Preparedness Strategy?
The European Union Civil Preparedness Strategy is a plan aimed at ensuring that EU households have basic emergency supplies to survive for at least 72 hours without external assistance. This document is part of a broader effort to tackle severe crises such as wars, natural disasters, and pandemics.
What recommendations does the EU make for preparing an emergency kit?
The EU recommends that every household have an emergency kit that includes water, medications, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, chargers, a radio, cash, and a deck of cards. These measures are designed to increase citizens' autonomy in crisis situations.
What is the PreparEU platform and when will it be operational?
PreparEU is a digital platform that will provide alerts, information, and personalized warnings to European citizens, tailored to the risks of each region. It is expected to be fully operational by the year 2026.
How is Spain adapting to the new EU security strategy?
Spain, under the leadership of Pedro Sánchez, is aligning itself with the vision of a more autonomous and resilient Europe. The country supports the establishment of a European Army and is working on a national plan to bolster the defense industry, as part of a new common security framework.
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