Bottled water, energy bars, a torch and more: the European Union is pushing for every household in the 27-country bloc to have a three-day survival kit ready in case crisis strikes - be it a conflict or natural disaster.
EU crisis management commissioner Hadja Lahbib said the idea would be formally presented tomorrow as part of a broader "preparedness strategy" for the bloc.
In practice, the EU would like every citizen to be equipped for 72 hours of self-sufficiency, Ms Lahbib said.
The move is in line with a key report last year on strengthening Europe's civilian and military preparedness.
"Knowing what to do in case of danger, gaming out different scenarios, that's also a way to prevent people from panicking," Ms Lahbib said, recalling supermarket being cleaned out of toilet paper in the early days of the pandemic.
Households would be urged to stock up on a dozen key items, including matches and ID documents in a waterproof pouch, as part of their "resilience" kit.
The EU also wants to promote a "national preparedness day" - aimed at ensuring member states are on track with the plans.
"All of this comes in addition to national strategies," Ms Lahbib said.
She added: "It's about better coordinating, supporting member states in their strategies."
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
The "preparedness" strategy - and the survival kit in particular - draws on the recommendations of a report presented to the European Commission by Finland's former president Sauli Niinistö late last year.
It also takes inspiration from the example of Scandinavia, where Finland, Sweden and Denmark have all stepped up efforts to prepare households for the possibility of a future crisis or conflict – amidst Russians three-year-old invasion of Ukraine.
In a letter to EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, three politicians from the European Parliament's centrist group Renew urged the Commission to go further by sending a handbook to every household in the bloc on preparing for "various crises, from potential conflict to climate disasters, pandemics and cyberthreats".
