Residents of the European Union (EU) have been advised to gather emergency supplies in case of war or another major emergency, according to a new report published by the EU.
The report on Europe’s civil and military preparedness, released on Wednesday, was authored by former Finnish President Sauli Niinistoin his role as special advisor to the President of the European Commission.
The report highlights that the EU was unprepared for both the COVID-19 pandemic and Russian aggression in Ukraine and calls for a shift “from reaction to proactive preparedness.”
As part of this strategy, the EU should advise households to be prepared for self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours in case of an emergency, according to the report.
Member states are recommended to provide guidance to citizens on stockpiling, evacuations, and accessing emergency services, among other things.
The report outlines various essential supplies households should have on hand in an emergency, including food, water, and medicine, as well as a flashlight and a battery-powered radio.
The recommendations aim to prepare EU citizens for emergencies, from a new pandemic to extreme weather events or armed aggression.
The COVID-19 pandemic led people worldwide to rush to buy supplies, resulting in shortages of certain items.
While the report does not list Russian aggression as the only possible threat, it does highlight it as a major one.
“We do not have a clear plan for what the EU would do in case of armed aggression against a member state. The threat of war posed by Russia to European security forces us to prioritize this in our preparedness without downplaying preparations for other major threats,” the report states.
The report notes that while the threat of Russian aggression is felt most by its immediate neighbors, any action by Russia against an EU member state would impact all 27 countries of the bloc.
“The territorial integrity and political independence of each member state are inextricably linked to those of other member states and the EU as a whole,” the report states.
It further emphasizes that empowering citizens should be “at the heart” of a comprehensive preparedness strategy and that the bloc should raise awareness and promote self-sufficiency among its population.
The report suggests other EU-level measures, including allocating at least 20 percent of the bloc’s total budget to enhancing security and crisis readiness. It also proposes a plan for improved intelligence-sharing among EU countries.
The 165-page report was presented to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday, Klix.ba writes.
E.Dz.
