While the United States just authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles in Russia, some European countries are unofficially preparing to face possible war or other unexpected crises. This Monday, November 18, millions of Swedes will receive a brochure called “If a crisis or war occurs”, filled with advice on how to best prepare in the event of threats.
A BBC article says the preparations of the Nordic countries, which – for some – are not on their first brochure. Although Sweden only joined NATO in 2024, the idea of an emergency booklet for civilians is not new. The first edition dates back to World War II and was updated during the Cold War. Today, the worsening situation in the war between Russia and Ukraine has led the Swedish government to update its brochure from that of six years ago; it is now twice as long.
In Norway and Finland, the concept is more recent. Like the Swedes, the Norwegians received a booklet telling them how to be self-sufficient for a week in the event of extreme weather, war and other threats.
Finland also shared such advice, but favored the internet to communicate. A choice which can be explained by the fact that a printed booklet “would cost millions” to government, and that a digital version can be updated more quickly.
Water, cabbage and blueberry soup
In general, the advice in the Nordic countries is relatively similar. There is information on water, food and medications to keep in order to be independent for at least seventy-two hours in the event of a crisis. You should put aside long-lasting foods such as cans, energy bars and pasta. For medications, it is advisable to bring iodine tablets in the event of a nuclear accident.
In detail, the Swedish brochure recommends keeping potatoes, cabbage, carrots and eggs, as well as cans of Bolognese sauce and Blåbärssoppa, a traditional soup made from blueberries.
An interesting detail has been noted since the last update. It says there: “If Sweden is attacked by another country, we will never give up. Any information that insinuates that resistance should end will be false.” The country is however known for its neutrality. But last month, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Sweden’s civil defense minister, said the global context had changed, and information communicated to Swedish civilians needed to reflect those changes.
Unlike Finland, which shares a long border with Russia and which maintains a serious level of defense, Sweden has only started to equip itself in this area again – since the Cold War – in recent years. For Ilmari Käihkö, Finnish and professor at the Swedish Defense University, “Finland has never forgotten that war is a possibility, while in Sweden people have to be a little shaken to understand that the risk is real.”
Source: www.slate.fr
