Jakarta – Do you have enough supplies to last for​ 72 hours⁢ in a national emergency?‌ Food, water, cash,​ medicines,⁣ critically important documents, flashlights, and a radio that can capture long wave frequencies are just ⁢some of the items‍ that should be on an emergency preparedness list.

On ⁤Wednesday, the European Union (EU) called on national governments to ‌implement⁢ measures ensuring residents and essential services, such as schools and hospitals, ‌are better prepared for future ⁢crises.these crises‍ could ‍range from forest fires and industrial ‌accidents to armed conflicts.

This new strategy follows an EU-funded⁤ study last year that identified weaknesses in disaster response plans across various ‌countries, as well as​ a fragmented approach throughout the bloc. The EU now aims to⁤ harmonize protocols ⁤and encourage further action among member⁢ states.

We need to know how ⁢to act, how to respond, if ​the electricity goes out, if an earthquake occurs, a big flood, or other threats. How do you‍ protect ourselves? What ⁣resources are needed? How do we take our own responsibilities? said Roxana Minzatu, European Union Commissioner for preparedness, to reporters in Brussels.

We⁢ must get out of the reactive mindset that​ only responds after the crisis occurs, and⁣ switch‌ to a more proactive approach, which focuses on estimates, anticipation of risks, and prevention, she‍ added.

What’s Included in the EU Preparedness Plan?

The plan announced ⁣by the EU executive on Wednesday suggests that national authorities ​introduce or strengthen​ warning⁢ systems, adjust school curricula, and launch training programs to help citizens better understand the risks they face.

The EU also plans to open a centralized crisis coordination center and increase reserve stocks of essential items, such as vaccines, transportation equipment, and equipment to deal wiht chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

Furthermore, EU-wide preparedness training will be held to enhance civil⁣ and ⁢military cooperation. The European Commission also⁣ intends to compile a minimum preparedness checklist‍ for​ essential services, including schools, transportation, and telecommunications.

However, the implementation of many of these steps depends on the ⁤decisions of individual⁢ member states.

Some Countries Are Better Prepared Than Others

The EU executive commission acknowledges that preparedness levels⁤ vary ‌across countries. As a notable example, forest fires​ are more common in Spain and Greece, while​ earthquakes are more likely to affect romania and Bulgaria.

Germany has published a 68-page document detailing steps residents should take in the⁣ event of a flood,fire,or nuclear emergency. The document⁤ recommends storing food and basic necessities for 10 days.

Each member country must adjust‌ the preparedness message in accordance with ⁢their conditions, said European Union Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib on Wednesday.

However, one EU official acknowledged that the level of readiness in dealing with disasters‌ still​ varies across the bloc.

Finland: A Preparedness Model

Finland,which shares a border of more than 800 miles with Russia,is often⁢ considered a leading example of emergency⁤ preparedness within the⁤ EU.

The country has long maintained underground shelters to withstand ‌bombings or nuclear attacks and has a national emergency⁢ supply agency responsible for ⁢securing essential items during crises.

According to the Associated Press, the call‍ to action for the EU’s 450 ‌million citizens comes ⁣as ‌the 27-nation bloc faces increased risks from war,⁢ disease and climate change.

The EU ‌is urging citizens to stockpile supplies to⁤ last three days, according to the‍ associated Press.

Increasing Threats

An EU official stated on Wednesday ⁢that threats to ​the European Union and its security continue to rise.geopolitical tensions, such as the war⁤ in Ukraine, have prompted more ⁤residents to consider security issues.

The official also stressed that ‌many European countries are increasingly aware of climate risks,​ given the ‌rising frequency of floods, heavy ⁢rains, ​and storms across the continent.

Hybrid threats, such as cyberattacks⁢ on hospitals⁣ that could paralyze public health infrastructure, are also increasingly recognized and considered serious.

Get Ready, Don’t Panic

Commissioner Lahbib dismissed ​accusations that the EU is spreading unnecessary fear.

Realizing the risk and preparing ​to face it is indeed the opposite of⁤ creating ‌irrational ⁤panic ⁣and actions, as we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic… Preparedness means knowing what might happen and preparing, she said.

Finding a ​balance between ​increasing public awareness and maintaining calm is crucial.

Citizens need to realize the‌ potential threats and prepare to face it. But at ⁢the same time, being too afraid of everything is also ‌not good.Especially in ⁣the ⁤era of social media, where the potential for disinformation is very large, said one official.

It ‍is indeed critically⁣ important not to jump to conclusions that incidents like fires or technological disturbances are⁣ always acts of sabotage.

It could be just an accident or an ordinary ‍event. Excessive crisis is not‍ always good for the community, the official added.