The European Commission has launched an annual “EU Preparedness Day”, and new guidance for member states on how to help people prepare for emergencies.
The guidance was presented by Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib at the European Civil Protection Forum.
The new “Population Preparedness Guidelines” focus on four areas, including helping people remain self-sufficient for the first 72 hours of a crisis while public assistance is mobilised, including through essential supplies and “grab bags.”
The Guidelines cover introducing preparedness into early childhood and primary education curricula, making planning and information more accessible for people with disabilities, and improving how authorities communicate risks and threats before, during and after emergencies.
“Every European should know what to do, how to protect their family, and how to help others,” Lahbib said.
The Commission has also adopted a recommendation on “operational continuity and stress-testing” to help ensure national civil protection contact points under the Civil Protection Mechanism remain operational during disruptive events.
