EU Warns of 72-Hour Food Stockpile in Case of Crisis
The European Union has advised its 450 million citizens to stockpile at least 72 hours of essential food and supplies, citing the increasing threat of wars, cyberattacks, climate change and pandemics. The EU’s Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said the warning is part of a broader strategy to improve the Union’s civil preparedness.
Lahbib referred to the Ukraine conflict as a threat to European security, stating, “Since three years, we see in Ukraine a battlefield of bombs and bullets, drones, fighter jets, trenches and submarines – yes, our European security is directly threatened.” Several EU member states have repeatedly identified Moscow as a significant threat to regional security, with France, Poland, the Baltic states and Finland expressing concerns over alleged Russian cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and political interference.
Moscow has consistently denied any intention to attack NATO member states or the EU, with Russian President Vladimir Putin describing such claims as “nonsense.” He claimed that the EU’s warnings are aimed at instilling fear in the population and increasing military budgets.
The EU’s Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, countered, “We want people to be well-prepared and not in a state of panic. Precaution is not panic-mongering, but common sense in a time of uncertainty.”
Under the emergency strategy, the EU recommends households store essential items, such as non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, batteries, first aid materials and important documents. Additionally, the public is advised to have access to a short-wave radio in case of a power or communication outage. The EU also plans to establish a strategic reserve of key resources, including firefighting planes, medical transport, mobile hospitals and stockpiles of protection equipment for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents.
Lahbib stated, “Europe is confronted with a multitude of threats, more complex than ever before and they are all interconnected. From war on our borders to the increasingly frequent climate catastrophes, the EU must be prepared for the unexpected.” The emergency strategy draws on long-standing measures in countries like Finland and Sweden, where preparations for disaster response and emergency plans have been established for years.