EU Urges Citizens to Prepare Emergency Bags for 72 Hours Without Help

by · Greek City Times

The European Commission is urging citizens across the European Union to prepare emergency supplies and be ready to survive independently for at least 72 hours during a major crisis.

New preparedness guidelines released on November 3 aim to strengthen Europe’s ability to respond to growing security threats, natural disasters and disruptions to critical infrastructure.

European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib presented the guidelines at the European Civil Protection Forum in Brussels, warning of the need for households and communities to become better prepared for emergencies.

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The recommendations cover a range of potential threats, including extreme weather events, cyberattacks, sabotage of essential infrastructure and geopolitical conflicts.

EU recommends emergency bags for every household

Under the new guidelines, households are encouraged to prepare an emergency bag containing essential supplies to sustain them for three days if normal services become unavailable.

The European Commission recommends keeping the following items readily accessible:

  • Non-perishable food supplies
  • Drinking water, with approximately six litres per person
  • Essential medicines and medical supplies
  • Personal hygiene products
  • Emergency cash
  • Other basic necessities required during an evacuation or disruption

The 72-hour period is intended to give emergency services time to mobilise, assess immediate threats and prioritise assistance for people most in need.

The initiative reflects a broader change in Europe’s approach to crisis management, placing greater responsibility on individuals and communities alongside national governments and emergency authorities.

Emergency preparedness to enter schools

The Commission is also calling on EU member states to introduce emergency preparedness education into early childhood and primary school programmes.

Children would learn age-appropriate practical skills to help them understand how to respond during emergencies, identify potential risks and follow safety instructions.

The guidelines stress that such education should build confidence and awareness without creating unnecessary fear or anxiety.

Special attention for people with disabilities

The recommendations also highlight the importance of including people with disabilities in emergency planning at both local and national levels.

Authorities are encouraged to ensure emergency information, evacuation arrangements and support services are accessible to everyone.

The Commission further wants governments to strengthen public communication systems so citizens receive clear and reliable information before, during and after a crisis.

Europe prepares for a more uncertain security environment

The new recommendations come as European governments face a growing range of interconnected challenges, from extreme weather and cyber threats to geopolitical instability and attacks on critical infrastructure.

Recent disruptions involving cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems across parts of Europe have also highlighted how vulnerable everyday services can be to infrastructure failures.

By encouraging households to maintain essential supplies and prepare for temporary disruptions, Brussels wants to improve Europe’s overall resilience and reduce pressure on emergency services during the critical first days of a crisis.

The guidelines place emergency preparedness at the centre of a wider European effort to ensure citizens, communities and governments are better equipped to respond when essential services are disrupted.

Source: European Commission, European Civil Protection Forum, November 3, 2026. Official announcement⁠.

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