European Commission proposes new crisis-preparedness guidelines and an annual EU Preparedness Day

The European Commission (EC), the European Union's executive arm, is stepping up work on the preparedness of citizens and member states as Europe faces increasingly frequent and complex crises. On Tuesday, 3 November, at the European Civil Protection Forum, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib presented new guidelines to help people and communities prepare for emergencies, including the first 72 hours of a crisis.

Practical steps for residents

The guidelines contain concrete advice, from packing essentials in an emergency bag to knowing how to react when disaster strikes. The Commission says the document will help authorities give people the knowledge and tools to protect themselves and others.

The Commission also proposes an annual EU Preparedness Day, to be marked on 23 October starting in 2027. It is meant to encourage residents and communities to take an active part in preparing for emergencies, and to recognise the work of national, regional and local authorities, civil protection organisations and communities.

Recently adopted recommendations, meanwhile, aim to ensure that member states' national civil protection contact points within the Civil Protection Mechanism keep working around the clock, even during disruptions.

Commissioner Lahbib stressed that the first hours of a disaster can change everything, so every European should know what to do and how to protect their family. She said: "Preparedness starts in our homes, schools, communities."

Survey shows broad support

A special Eurobarometer survey on EU civil protection, published by the Commission in late October, indicates strong European backing for a coordinated approach to disaster preparedness and response. Nine in ten respondents consider it important that the EU helps coordinate responses to disasters both on its territory and elsewhere. 94% agree that member states should support one another when a disaster exceeds a single country's ability to cope.

Another 91% of respondents say coordinated EU action should be strengthened further, and the same share believe aid should be provided to non-EU countries hit by major disasters.