EU should build stockpiles to prepare for any major event

The European Union must stockpile medicines, generators, and raw materials in preparation for potential conflict, pandemics, or natural disasters, the European Commission has warned.

The Commission is also urging member states to create reserves of drinking water, as well as to maintain a substantial supply of drones, mobile bridges, and equipment for repairing undersea cables.

Earlier this year, the EU had already encouraged citizens across member states to store enough food and water to last 72 hours in the event of a major emergency or conflict.

The new strategy, unveiled on Wednesday, is a response to lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic and is inspired by national preparedness programs already in place in countries like Finland, Estonia, and the Czech Republic.

EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said: “We know the threats we face – hybrid attacks, power outages, extreme weather, and the spread of disease. These are no longer distant risks. That’s why we’re moving preparedness from the sidelines to the frontline of our defense.”

The announcement comes as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen renewed calls for the EU to be ready to defend itself by 2030, citing Russia as a growing threat.

“Russia’s military rearming means that they could – within two to five years – pose a credible military threat to Europe and NATO,” she told the European Parliament earlier this week.

(QG - Source: The Guardian - Picture : © Unsplash)