Stockpile 72 hours of supplies in case of disaster or attack, EU tells citizens
GuardianMAR 29
E.U. Urges 450M Citizens to Stockpile 72-Hour Emergency Supplies
Above: Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management, launched the Preparedness Union Strategy at a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, on March 26, 2025. Image copyright: Dursun Aydemir/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The EU's preparedness strategy marks a significant shift toward proactive crisis management. This approach enhances European resilience against modern threats while promoting civilian self-reliance and psychological readiness for emergencies. Such measures are vital in light of the complex geopolitical landscape and the increasing prevalence of natural disasters.
Narrative B
The EU's emergency preparedness initiative could lead to unnecessary panic and impose an excessive burden on citizens. Meanwhile, concentrating on individual preparedness may divert attention from addressing systemic vulnerabilities and might be perceived as an acknowledgment of institutional weaknesses in managing crises.