The European Commission presented on Tuesday, November 3, a new 72-hour survival guide for Europeans in case of emergency or crisis.
As Europe faces increasingly frequent and complex crises, the European Commission is stepping up its efforts to strengthen preparedness across the EU. From helping citizens protect themselves during emergencies to ensuring that national civil protection systems can continue to function when disasters strike, the EU is taking concrete steps to make Europe more resilient.
It was Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, who introduced new guidelines to help citizens and communities prepare for potential emergencies.
It announced plans to establish an annual "EU Preparedness Day", the first of which is planned for October 2027. These initiatives build on a recently adopted Commission Recommendation on business continuity and stress testing, aiming to strengthen the resilience of national civil protection contact points across Europe.
It's about packing essential items in an emergency kit and lessons on how to react when disaster strikes.
They cover 4 main areas:
- 72-hour self-sufficiency - Helping citizens meet their basic needs during the first 3 days of an emergency, while mobilizing public assistance, including through basic emergency supplies and emergency kits.
- Education for preparedness - Integrating preparedness into early childhood and primary school curricula and providing training for teachers so that children develop preparedness skills from an early age through accessible and age-appropriate activities, without creating fear or anxiety.
- Inclusive preparedness for persons with disabilities - Making preparedness measures more inclusive and accessible, taking into account the needs of persons with disabilities and encouraging their participation in preparedness planning, so that no one is left behind.
- Information on risks and threats - Supporting authorities to communicate risks and threats more effectively, ensuring that citizens receive timely, accessible and reliable information before, during and after emergencies.
Overall, these non-binding guidelines aim to promote a culture of preparedness across Europe, ensuring that individuals and communities are better informed, equipped and able to anticipate and respond to crises. ©LAPSI.al
