Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

European Union urges citizens to stockpile food and supplies amid risk of war

The EU’s call to action comes at a time when Europe faces growing threats

EU Warns Citizens to Stockpile Essentials Amid War Concerns

Not all EU countries currently have the same level of preparedness

Getty Images

The European Union (EU) has advised its 450 million citizens to stockpile essential items, including food and water, to prepare for potential emergencies. This call to action is part of a broader strategy to improve disaster preparedness across the 27-nation bloc, as it faces increasing risks from war, cyberattacks, climate change, and public health crises.

The EU’s recommendation comes in light of recent global developments that have raised concerns about security and stability. Citizens are encouraged to have enough food, water, medicine, and other essential supplies to last at least 72 hours during a crisis.


Why the call for preparedness?

The EU has faced significant challenges in recent years, including the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions with Russia, and ongoing concerns about energy security. These events have exposed vulnerabilities in the bloc’s ability to respond to emergencies, prompting the need for better crisis management.

The European Union’s Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, highlighted the importance of having a personal stockpile of food and supplies during emergencies. “It is crucial for citizens to have essential items for at least 72 hours to ensure their safety in a crisis,” she said during the announcement of the EU’s new strategy for disaster preparedness.

This push for citizens to stockpile food and other essentials aligns with similar measures already in place in countries like France, Finland, and Sweden, which have longstanding systems for civil preparedness. Sweden, for example, updated its Cold War-era emergency advice in 2024 to better reflect today’s security challenges, such as how to respond to a nuclear attack.

Rising security concerns

The EU’s call to action comes at a time when Europe faces growing threats. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has sparked concerns about potential Russian military aggression, with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warning of the possibility of an attack in Europe by 2030. The EU has also been grappling with the effects of climate change, cyberattacks, and public health crises like the Covid-19 pandemic.

As these threats grow more interconnected and complex, the European Union is urging its member states and citizens to take proactive measures. Lahbib emphasised the need for a well-prepared population, saying, “Today’s threats are more complicated than ever, and it is essential that we are ready to face them.”

Stockpiling for safety

The EU has outlined several items citizens should consider including in their stockpile: food, water, flashlights, medication, and identification documents. In addition, shortwave radios are recommended as a vital communication tool in the event of a cyberattack or infrastructure failure.

While the EU’s preparedness strategy encourages individual responsibility, it is also looking to build up its own strategic reserves of critical resources. These include firefighting equipment, medical supplies, and assets designed to combat chemical, biological, and nuclear threats. By doing so, the EU aims to support member states during large-scale crises and ensure that resources are available when needed most.

Coordinating preparedness across the bloc

Not all EU countries currently have the same level of preparedness, and Lahbib has called for better coordination between member states. The EU’s new disaster management strategy seeks to unify emergency responses and ensure that countries work together to provide aid and resources during emergencies.

“We cannot rely on reactive measures alone,” Lahbib stated. “We must have a coordinated plan in place to deal with crises before they happen.”

By encouraging citizens to stockpile food and supplies, the European Union is taking a proactive approach to disaster management. The goal is to reduce the pressure on emergency services during the initial stages of a crisis and ensure that individuals and families can protect themselves until help arrives.

Lessons from other countries

The EU’s plan to encourage stockpiling of food and essential supplies mirrors strategies already in place in several member countries. For example, France and Finland have long advised their citizens to be prepared for emergencies by having a stockpile of basic necessities. Sweden’s updated guidance includes instructions for how to act during a nuclear event, a reflection of the current global security situation.

By learning from these countries, the EU hopes to create a more resilient population that is better equipped to face crises. Stockpiling food and supplies for 72 hours is a small but significant step in ensuring that citizens are prepared to weather emergencies.

Challenges ahead

As Europe faces growing risks from geopolitical tensions, climate disasters, and cyberattacks, the EU’s call to action is a reminder of the importance of preparedness. By urging citizens to stockpile food and essential supplies, the European Union is encouraging a culture of readiness that will help mitigate the impact of future crises.

With the world becoming increasingly unpredictable, the EU’s focus on disaster preparedness aims to protect both individuals and communities, ensuring that Europe remains resilient in the face of whatever challenges lie ahead.

More For You

Starmer Mandelson

Starmer talks with Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Starmer under pressure from party MPs after Mandelson dismissal

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is facing questions within the Labour party after the sacking of US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Mandelson was removed last week after Bloomberg published emails showing messages of support he sent following Jeffrey Epstein’s conviction for sex offences. The dismissal comes just ahead of US president Donald Trump’s state visit.

Keep ReadingShow less
West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. (Representational image: iStock)

Woman raped in racially aggravated attack in Oldbury

A WOMAN in her 20s was raped in Oldbury in what police are treating as a racially aggravated attack.

West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. Officers said the men made a racist remark during the incident.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tommy Robinson

The event, which Robinson has promoted for months, is being billed by him as the 'UK's biggest free speech festival.' (Photo: Getty Images)

London prepares for rival demonstrations, police deploy 1,600 officers

Highlights

  • More than 1,600 officers deployed across London on Saturday
  • Far-right activist Tommy Robinson to lead "Unite the Kingdom" march
  • Anti-racism groups to stage counter-protests in Whitehall
  • Police impose conditions on routes and timings of demonstrations

LONDON police will deploy more than 1,600 officers across the city on Saturday as rival demonstrations take place, including a rally organised by far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, and a counter-protest by anti-racism campaigners.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mandelson-Getty

Starmer dismissed Mandelson on Thursday after reading emails published by Bloomberg in which Mandelson defended Jeffrey Epstein following his 2008 conviction. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Minister says Mandelson should never have been appointed

A CABINET minister has said Peter Mandelson should not have been made UK ambassador to the US, as criticism mounted over prime minister Keir Starmer’s judgment in appointing him.

Douglas Alexander, the Scotland secretary, told the BBC that Mandelson’s appointment was seen as “high-risk, high-reward” but that newly revealed emails changed the situation.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK weather alert 80mph winds

Winds could reach 70–80mph in the most exposed coastal areas

iStock

Met Office issues weekend alert as UK braces for 80mph winds

Highlights:

  • Met Office issues yellow warning from 8pm Sunday to 6pm Monday
  • Winds could reach 70–80mph in the most exposed coastal areas
  • Travel disruption and risk of falling debris expected
  • Residents urged to secure outdoor items ahead of stormy conditions

Strong winds expected across southern and western UK

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning ahead of the weekend, with winds of up to 80mph forecast to affect large parts of the UK. The alert will be in place from 8pm on Sunday until 6pm on Monday.

The warning covers much of west and southwest England and Wales, along with the entire southern coast of England. It also extends up the west coast towards Manchester. Gusts of 60mph are likely inland, rising to 70–80mph in exposed coastal areas and hilltops.

Keep ReadingShow less