EU urges citizens to prepare for 72 hours without aid

The European Commission has issued new guidelines to help citizens and communities across the European Union prepare for emergencies, including being self-sufficient for the first 72 hours of any crisis. The Commission also announced plans to establish an annual EU Preparedness Day, with the first event set for October 2027.

Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, unveiled the guidelines on Tuesday at the European Civil Protection Forum, citing what the Commission described as increasingly frequent and complex crises facing Europe.

The 72-hour self-sufficiency guidelines outline essential supplies that households should have in case of major service disruptions. These include non-perishable foods that do not require heating or need little water, stored water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene, alternative means for heating, cooling, and lighting, medicines and first aid supplies, personal hygiene and sanitation items (including toilet and waste disposal arrangements), and devices for receiving emergency information and communication, such as battery-powered radios and fully charged portable chargers.

The document advises families to keep a cash reserve in small denominations and coins in case digital payment systems fail, as well as an offline-capable digital payment method where available.

It also recommends creating a household emergency plan that includes the nearest shelter and ways to contact family if mobile networks are down, preparing an evacuation bag with ID documents, cash, and essentials, and practicing practical skills such as cooking without electricity, water storage, and first aid, while considering the needs of pets.

In addition to self-sufficiency, the non-binding guidelines cover three other areas: integrating preparedness into early and primary education in a way that does not frighten children, making preparedness measures accessible for people with disabilities, and improving communication between authorities and citizens about risks and threats before, during, and after emergencies.

The document stresses that the preparedness recommendation is a "precautionary measure" not linked to any immediate threat, and that 72 hours is a "minimum" as some crises may last longer.

The Commission has proposed marking "EU Preparedness Day" every October 23 starting in 2027, coinciding with the anniversary of the European Civil Protection Mechanism's founding in 2001, to encourage citizens to take an active role in emergency preparedness.

This initiative follows a recent Commission recommendation on business continuity and stress testing, aimed at ensuring that national civil protection contact points in member states remain operational around the clock, even during disruptive events.

Lahbib said: "When disaster strikes, the first hours can make all the difference. Every European should know what to do, how to protect their family, and how to help others."

These measures are part of the "Union Preparedness Strategy" adopted by the European Union in March 2025.