EU urged to prepare for crises with 72‑hour emergency kits
Sauli Niinistö, the former president of Finland and current advisor to Ursula von der Leyen, urges people to prepare food, water, and basic daily necessities in case of an armed conflict or another serious crisis.
8:34 AM EDT, November 1, 2024
In a report on the civil and military preparedness of Europe, developed by the advisor to the European Commission President, it's recommended that every household in the European Union have a supply of basic items such as food, water, medicine, a flashlight, and a battery-powered radio.
Sauli Niinistö also appealed to member states to develop detailed evacuation procedure guidelines and provide citizens access to emergency services in crises.
Should Europeans stock up?
Niinistö noted that the EU was unprepared for both the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian aggression in Ukraine, highlighting the need to move from reactive measures to proactive preparedness for future threats. According to the former president of Finland, the European Union should advise citizens to prepare for "plan to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours."
As part of the new strategy, households should be prepared for challenges such as future pandemics, extreme weather events, or potential armed conflicts. The goal is to increase Europeans' resilience to crises that could significantly impact social and economic life.
"We do not have a clear plan on what the EU will do in the event of armed aggression against a Member State. The threat of war posed by Russia to European security forces us to address this as a centrepiece of our preparedness without undermining the work to prepare for other major threats," the report conveyed.
