The European Union has urged its citizens to stockpile enough food and other vital supplies to keep them safe for at least 72 hours if a war crisis occurs, the European Commission has warned.
"In the event of extreme disruptions, the initial period is most critical," the document says, outlining possible scenarios ranging from war to cyberattacks and deadly diseases to climate-induced floods, Politico reports, A2 CNN reports.
In a new guidance, the European Commission stressed the need for Europe to change its mindset, to foster a culture of "preparedness" and "resilience".
Europe must take all the means to defend itself against military aggression, European Council President Antonio Costa said on Tuesday, adding that peace without defense is an illusion. "If Russia considers that Ukraine's borders are just a line on a map, why should it respect the borders of any other country?" he said at a conference of the European Policy Center in Brussels, A2 CNN reports.
Brussels wants to ensure every citizen is equipped for 72 hours of self-sufficiency as fears grow over the threat of continental conflict. EU citizens will be instructed to stock up on a dozen key items as part of their “resistance” kit. These include matches, identity documents stored in a waterproof bag, bottled water, energy bars and a flashlight.
According to CNN, the 18-page document warns that Europe is facing a new reality of risk and uncertainty, citing Russia's war in Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, sabotage of critical infrastructure and electronic warfare as key factors, writes A2 CNN.
"None of the major crises of recent years were isolated or short-lived," the document says. "Europe cannot afford to remain reactive."
"New realities require a new level of preparedness in Europe," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.
"Our citizens, our member states and our businesses need the right tools to act both to prevent crises and to react rapidly when a disaster strikes." (A2 Televizion)
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