The European Union is advising all citizens to keep at least 72 hours of supplies at home at all times.
The advice is contained in a new paper produced by the European Commission.
The EU Preparedness Union Strategy is designed to “enhance Europe’s capability to prevent and respond to emerging threats”, the European Commission says.
“The European Union is facing increasingly complex crises and challenges that cannot be ignored. From growing geopolitical tensions and conflicts, hybrid and cybersecurity threats, foreign information manipulation and interference, to climate change and increasing natural disasters, the EU needs to be ready to protect its citizens and the key societal functions that are crucial for democracy and daily life.”
It is understood that the Irish government has largely welcomed the proposals.
But other European countries have strongly rejected the EU-mandated guidelines.
“We have received very positive and also very negative reactions”, the European Commission Spokesperson for Preparedness, Eva Hrncirova, admitted.
“This preparedness strategy, I would say it’s kind of an insurance.”
“It’s like your insurance contract, that, you buy not because you expect the wind to take off the roof of your house the next day. You buy your insurance contract because you want to feel more safe and secure. And this is what is this preparedness strategy about.”
The strategy makes 30 recommendations covering not just people’s homes, but also schools, hospitals and the military.
The strategy was devised after a report by the Former President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, which found that Europe was under-prepared in a number of key areas.
“The emerging threats facing Europe are many, complex and they are frequently connected”, said European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, speaking in the European Parliament earlier this week.
“We must be able to maintain the vital services of our democratic societies: children going to school, hospitals delivering care, governments and parliaments continuing to fulfil their responsibilities no matter what happens.”
“This is not about preparing for war or alarming our citizens”, she assured MEPs.