The European Commission announced this past Tuesday the creation of a guide in which it asks citizens to acquire different items that prepare them to be able to "subsist for at least 72 hours, without the need for outside help." Thus, it establishes basic elements such as water, food, or medicine, but also other essential items.
The Commission also proposed this Wednesday the creation of the European Union Crisis Center, within some thirty actions that are part of an action plan to prepare for emergencies.
According to the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen, these measures will serve to prepare for different threats, such as climatic ones (Valencia's DANA, the Filomena storm, or forest fires), but also to face "cyberattacks or critical infrastructures." She indicated in a post published on X (formerly Twitter) that "new realities demand new preparations."
Von Der Leyen added that the population, member countries, and companies "need adequate tools to prevent crises and react quickly to a disaster."
According to the newspaper El País, the draft states that "we must prepare for large-scale cross-sectoral incidents and crises, including the possibility of armed aggression, affecting one or more Member States.”
This package of measures includes storing bottled water and enough food for three days for each person in the family unit. To which is added a flashlight and objects to start a fire such as a box of matches or a lighter. In addition to having warm clothes, blankets, and sleeping bags.
To which is added a basic first aid kit and medication, batteries, documentation, batteries, a battery-powered radio, as well as cash.
The European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, shared on her social networks a "survival" version of the global trend on social networks: "What's in my bag?" where she told the importance of having the documentation protected in waterproof folders to resist the rain. In addition, she suggested getting a multi-purpose knife.
Today, the EU launches its new #Preparedness Strategy.
— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) March 26, 2025
“Ready for anything” — this must be our new European way of life. Our motto and #hashtag. pic.twitter.com/fA1z8ZvMDA
