The European Union on Wednesday urged citizens across the continent to stockpile food, water and other essentials to last at least 72 hours as war, cyberattacks, climate change and disease increase the chances of a crisis.
The call to action for the EU’s 450 million citizens comes as the 27-nation bloc rethinks its security, especially after the Trump administration warned that Europe must take more responsibility for it.
In recent years, the EU has weathered COVID-19 and the threat from Russia, including its attempts to exploit Europe’s dependence on its natural gas to weaken support for Ukraine. the Associated press recalled. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has warned that Russia could be capable of launching another attack in Europe by 2030.
“Today’s threats facing Europe are more complex than ever, and they are all interconnected,” said Preparedness and Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib as she unveiled a new strategy for dealing with future disasters.
While the commission is keen not to be seen as alarmist, Lahbib said it’s important “to make sure people have essential supplies for at least 72 hours in a crisis.” She listed food, water, flashlights, ID papers, medicine and shortwave radios as things to stock.
In a short, practically ridiculous and amateurish video boasting of bad taste and difficult to understand language, a laughing Lahbib addresses the millions of probably shocked European citizens as if she was preparing her bag for a daily trip on a rainy day.
Today, the EU launches its new #Preparedness Strategy.
“Ready for anything” — this must be our new European way of life. Our motto and #hashtag. pic.twitter.com/fA1z8ZvMDA
— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) March 26, 2025
Lahbib forgot to mention two important things:
- to add a link to the long list of essentials citizens need to stockpile in case they stay at home or need to evacuate
- to remind people that they would also need food & water for their pets. or they leave them behind in case of evacuation?.
PS Sure. Fearmongering is the best recipe for EU to get the European citizens accept the 800 billion euro plan to beef up its defense using taxpayers’ pension funds as collateral.
BTW: Younger cat asked whether we have to work on a 72-hour scheme: 72h stockpile, 72h use the stockpiled things, 72h buy new items to stockpile.