As global threats – from geopolitical conflicts to climate disasters – continue to grow, countries across Europe are taking urgent steps to ensure their citizens are crisis-ready. In particular, the Nordic nations have revived and modernised Cold War-era tactics to foster a culture of resilience. Now, the European Union is following suit with a directive urging all 450 million citizens to be prepared for 72 hours of self-sufficiency.
The UK, while no stranger to emergencies, has yet to implement a comparable nationwide effort. But with growing public concern over security and infrastructure vulnerabilities, perhaps it’s time to take notes from the Nordic playbook.
Nordic nations are on the frontlines of readiness
Sweden: the sentiment of “If Crisis or War Comes” returns
This week, Sweden will distribute millions of updated copies of If Crisis or War Comes, a preparedness guide first introduced during WWII. Prompted by growing geopolitical tensions, particularly Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the guide emphasises:
- National Resolve: “If Sweden is attacked by another country, we will never give up. All information suggesting surrender is false.”
- Household Readiness: A 72-hour stockpile is advised – essentials include food, water, canned goods like bolognese sauce, and even blueberry soup.
- Infrastructure Revamp: Sweden is reactivating its “total defence” strategy, but experts warn that progress is sluggish.
While older generations recognise these Cold War echoes, even younger Swedes support the initiative, albeit with concerns about their practical implementation in today’s life.
Finland: digital, durable, and always prepared
Unlike its Swedish neighbours, Finland never let its readiness culture fade. Its newly updated, fully digital guide remains efficient and accessible, featuring:
- Winter Survival: Iodine tablets, pet food, emergency heating, and ready-to-cook meals for blackout scenarios.
- Institutional Assurance: Citizens are reminded that Finnish authorities are “well-prepared for self-defence.”
- Cultural Integration: Resilience is ingrained in Finnish daily life—this isn’t a revival, it’s a continuation.
Norway: practical pamphlets, real-world advice
Over 2.2 million updated guides have landed in Norwegian mailboxes at the end of 2024, a nod to old-school delivery with modernised content. Key tips include:
- Stockpile long-life food, water, and backup power.
- Prepare for blackouts with torches, candles, and batteries.
- Plan for floods, landslides, and extreme weather events.
Norway strikes a balance between civil defence nostalgia and present-day practicality.
Denmark: digital efficiency
Denmark has opted for a minimalist, email-based checklist that encourages households to maintain three days of basic supplies. Like Finland, it favours digital accessibility but relies on individuals to take the initiative.
A shared commitment to resilience
Though their styles vary – pamphlets in Norway, digital checklists in Denmark – all Nordic countries share a unified mission: empower citizens to handle crises confidently. Their campaigns recall Cold War preparedness but reflect modern concerns like cyberattacks, energy shortages, and climate disruption.
Challenges do remain – especially in cities, where space is limited and digital-only messaging risks excluding vulnerable populations – but the Nordic direction is clear: preparedness is essential, not optional.
The EU steps up: a continental preparedness plan
In response to rising threats – from war to pandemics – the European Union has issued a landmark directive urging all citizens to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.
Why now?
The move follows a convergence of crises: the war in Ukraine, surging cyberattacks, extreme weather, and the lasting scars of COVID-19. EU Preparedness and Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, summed it up: “Today’s threats facing Europe are more complex than ever, and they are all interconnected.”
What the EU recommends
All households are encouraged to store:
- Essentials: Non-perishable food and sufficient drinking water for 3 days.
- Health: Critical medications and basic first aid supplies.
- Power and Light: Radios, flash-lights, and backup batteries.
- Documents: Secure storage for passports, IDs, and key records.
Beyond the household
The EU is also working to build strategic reserves of:
- Medical supplies and firefighting gear.
- Energy resources to ensure continuity.
- Tools to counter chemical, biological, and radiological threats.
To foster a culture of readiness, the EU will launch:
- An annual Europe-wide Preparedness Day.
- School-based education programs to teach crisis survival skills early on.
The UK: catching up to a changing world
While the UK faces its own risks – from flooding and fuel shortages to political instability – it currently lacks a unified crisis preparedness framework. Yet with the right steps, it can begin building one. Here’s a suggested starting point for UK households:
The UK survival guide: modern essentials – an 8-step approach
- Water
- 3.78L (1 gallon) per person per day; store enough for a week.
- Water purification tablets, filters, or a camping kettle.
- Food
- Canned goods: beans, meats, fruits, vegetables.
- Dry staples: pasta, rice, lentils.
- Snacks and drink mixes: dried fruit, tea, instant coffee.
- Cooking
- Butane or propane stoves (ventilate well).
- Outdoor grills or solar ovens.
- Heating and Light
- Indoor-safe heaters, thermal blankets, layered clothing.
- LED torches, candles, lanterns, and batteries.
- Sanitation
- Toilet paper, soap, sanitiser.
- Portable toilets or garden latrine plans.
- Wet wipes for hygiene.
- Communication
- Crank or battery-powered radios.
- Power banks and car chargers for phones.
- Emergency Supplies
- First aid kits, prescriptions.
- Multi-tools, waterproof containers for documents.
- Additional Precautions
- Fuel storage, cash reserves, waterproof clothing.
Final thoughts: a culture shift toward readiness
Sweden’s Civil Defence Minister, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, captured the urgency of the moment: “The world has changed, and so must our approach.”
From pamphlets in Oslo to digital alerts in Copenhagen, the message is clear: resilience isn’t a fringe concern – it’s a core part of national security. The EU’s recent move signals a continental consensus, and the UK would do well to join in.
By normalising preparedness, we would shift from a mindset of fear to one of foresight. The next crisis may be unexpected – but with the right tools and planning, it doesn’t have to be devastating.
