How to prepare a kit to survive three days or know how to communicate to the authorities the risks and threats during emergencies are part of the new guidelines of the European Commission to face risk situations, "in the face of the increasingly frequent and complex crises" facing the continent.

First modification: 04/11/2026 - 06:54

The new European guidelines for emergency preparedness revolve around four thematic axes: 72-hour self-sufficiency, inclusive preparedness for people with disabilities, assertive communication of risks and threats, and pedagogy.

"When a disaster strikes, the first hours can be crucial. All Europeans should know what to do, how to protect their family and how to help others," said Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, when presenting the guidelines this Tuesday, during the European Civil Protection Forum, in which she spoke about extreme weather events, armed conflicts, cyberattacks or sabotage.

To display this content from X (Twitter), you must allow audience measurement and advertising cookies.

At the level of training, the European Commission proposes "integrating preparation into the curricula of early childhood and primary education... through accessible and age-appropriate activities, without generating fear or anxiety." In addition, it highlights the importance of "assessing the level of preparation of children" and "providing training to educators."

To this end, Brussels calls for "reviewing current legislation, policies and preparedness mechanisms" with the aim of "involving educators, social partners, children, families and community organizations in the development and implementation" of contingency plans.

One of the new features of the new guidelines is the importance of "integrating accessibility into emergency plans", which means ensuring that alerts, communication, evacuation, transportation, accommodation and support services take into account different assistance needs.

Along the same lines, the community body advocates using simulations, operational experience and feedback from people with disabilities and the organizations that assist them "to identify deficiencies and continually improve."

In parallel, the European Commission called on all 27 Member States to ensure that their national civil protection contact points remain operational at all times, even during disruptive events.

Water, medicines and cash, essential in the emergency kit.

Among the essential elements in the survival backpack promoted by the European Union are reserves of drinking water, food, medicines and cash.

The EU had already urged its citizens to keep a kit with autonomy for 72 hours in March 2025, after presenting the European Emergency Preparedness Strategy, since, among other things, it is a measure that "reduces pressure on emergency services and makes it easier for assistance to be prioritized for those who need it most."

Brussels also encouraged the population to design family emergency plans and learn practical skills, such as providing first aid or cooking without electricity or gas.

Preparation for unexpected situations has gained relevance in the European Union as sabotage and hostile acts increase, often by unknown actors, who have disrupted the operation of airports, compromised computer systems or raised alerts for territorial violations.

In one of the most recent cases, hundreds of supermarkets in at least nine countries suffered computer attacks on Monday, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of kilos of food.

Overflight of drones of unknown origin, frustrated attack plans or false bomb threats are other ways in which hybrid warfare has recently manifested itself in Europe.

Read alsoSeven planes and a cruise ship affected by false bomb threats in Europe

"Prepared, not afraid"

The non-binding recommendations of the European Commission are integrated into the European Emergency Preparedness Strategy adopted in March 2025.

"We want to be alert, not alarmed; prepared, not afraid," said the Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, this Tuesday.

To display this YouTube content, you must allow advertising and audience measurement cookies.

An extension on your browser appears to be blocking the video player from loading. In order to view this content, you must disable it on this site.

The official proposed establishing October 23, starting in 2027, as the European Emergency Preparedness Day, a date that commemorates the anniversary of the creation of the Civil Protection Mechanism on October 23, 2001.

The measure partially responds to the recommendations of the European Citizens' Panel on Preparedness, which brought together 150 citizens from across the EU between March and May 2026, who urged the establishment of an annual European Preparedness Week.

"Knowing what to do when sirens sound should be as natural as learning to swim," the commissioner said.

With agencies

Related keywords

The content you requested does not exist or is no longer available.