The European Commission is stepping up EU-wide emergency planning as Europe faces what it describes as more frequent and increasingly complex crises.
Hadja Lahbib, the commissioner responsible for preparedness and crisis management, presented new guidance on Tuesday aimed at helping governments, households and local communities respond more effectively to emergencies.
“Every European should know what to do, how to protect their family, and how to help others,” Lahbib said. “Preparedness starts in our homes, in our schools, in our communities.”
Quick facts
- The guidance urges households to be able to manage independently for 72 hours while public support is activated.
- Preparedness planning is to be introduced into early-childhood and primary-school education, alongside training for teachers.
- The framework calls for emergency plans that account for people with disabilities and involve them in planning.
- It also focuses on clearer communication of risks and threats.
- The Commission has proposed an annual EU Preparedness Day on 23 October, beginning in 2027.
The first pillar centres on 72-hour self-sufficiency. Citizens are encouraged to keep essential supplies and be able to provide for themselves during the initial period of a crisis, while public authorities mobilise assistance.
A second element covers preparedness education. The Commission wants contingency planning embedded in curricula for young children and primary pupils, with educators receiving relevant instruction.
The third area is disability-inclusive preparedness, intended to ensure that emergency measures reflect the needs of people with disabilities and give them a meaningful role in shaping plans.
The fourth component addresses how authorities communicate risks and threats to the public.
The broader framework builds on an adopted recommendation covering operational continuity and stress testing. Its purpose is to reinforce the resilience of national civil-protection contact points.
The Commission also wants to establish an EU Preparedness Day every 23 October from 2027, designed to encourage citizens and communities to take a more active part in emergency planning.
