The key facts
- EU residents have been advised to provide themselves with everything they need for the first 72 hours of an emergency on their own
- Hadja Lahbib's recommendations are voluntary in nature
- It has been proposed to mark an EU Preparedness Day annually on 23 October, with the first one in 2027
Recommendations for the first 72 hours
Residents of the European Union have been officially advised not to rely on state assistance during the first 72 hours of an emergency: during this period, people must provide themselves with everything they need while emergency services organize help. This is reported by Life.ru. The new recommendations were presented by European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib at the European Civil Protection Forum; they are voluntary and do not obligate Europeans to comply with all the requirements.
What the European Commission advises
“When disaster strikes, the first hours can be decisive. Every European should know what to do, how to protect their family, and how to help others. Preparedness begins in our homes, schools, and communities,” Lahbib said. The European Commission explains the initiative by the fact that Europe is increasingly facing complex crises. Residents are advised to stock up on essential items in advance and assemble emergency kits designed to cover the first three days without state support. In addition, Brussels proposes teaching children emergency safety rules, taking into account the needs of people with disabilities, and better informing the population about potential threats.
Preparedness Day and context
The European Commission has also proposed marking an EU Preparedness Day annually on 23 October — the date was chosen in honor of the creation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in 2001; the first such day is proposed to be held in 2027. The initiative document itself has been published on the European Commission's website. In the same piece, Life.ru recalls that European countries, according to the outlet's earlier reports, faced the risk of a new energy crisis due to rising gas prices, fuel supply disruptions, and the approaching winter; in October, Italian analysts noted growing anxiety over the situation on the energy market. The practical significance of the new recommendations is that responsibility for the initial period of a disaster is officially shifted to residents themselves: supplies and a 72-hour action plan are to be prepared in advance rather than waiting for immediate assistance.
