From bunkers to survival kits: Europe’s new era of crisis preparedness

European nations are ramping up efforts to prepare their citizens for potential crises and conflicts, with measures ranging from public information campaigns to bolstering civil defence infrastructure. 

According to the Guardian, Germany, Sweden, Finland, and Norway are taking distinct approaches to ensure readiness in the face of heightened security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, per Caliber.Az.

In Germany, authorities are focused on increasing the number of protective shelters after an assessment revealed that existing public shelters can accommodate only a fraction of the country’s 84 million residents. A national bunker plan has been launched, with efforts to identify suitable structures such as metro stations and public buildings. A geolocation app is also in development to help people locate the nearest bunker. German households are being encouraged to adopt private spaces for shelter, while new building regulations will require safe areas in residential constructions.

One of the German newspapers this month revealed details of a 1,000-page army document aimed at German businesses – advising them, for example, to train extra lorry drivers – but containing civil preparedness recommendations for individuals.

Sweden has revived its tradition of issuing public information pamphlets, with the latest edition titled If Crisis or War Comes offering advice on emergency preparedness. The 32-page guide covers essential supplies, digital security, and practical tips like using toilets without water. It emphasizes the role of collective resilience, urging citizens to be ready to defend the country’s independence and democracy.

Norway has distributed a similar booklet to all households, recommending a week’s worth of non-perishable food, essential medicines, and cash reserves. The guide addresses risks like climate change, digital threats, and war, advising residents on practical measures to ensure survival during crises.

The Norwegian pamphlet advises people, for example, to hold at least a week’s worth of non-perishable food including “crispbreads, canned pulses and beans, canned sandwich spreads, energy bars, dried fruit, chocolate, honey, biscuits and nuts”.

Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, provides an extensive online guide on crisis preparedness. Citizens are encouraged to assess their readiness to survive 72 hours in scenarios like water outages or military conflicts. The government’s 72-hour recommendation has become a well-established standard, though some experts have suggested extending it to a week. Finland’s preparedness measures include psychological resilience training and advice on sheltering during emergencies.

According to the article, experts predict an attack by Russia may be a possibility within the next five years and the search is now on for any structure that could be used if such an event occurred, including metro stations and basements of public offices, schools and town halls.

Across these countries, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has served as a wake-up call, prompting both governments and citizens to prioritize preparedness. Practical measures, such as stocking essential supplies and enhancing shelter infrastructure, are now becoming mainstream conversations as Europe braces for uncertain times.

By Tamilla Hasanova