The EU Emergency Handbook: A 72-Hour Survival Kit with Food, Water, and Cash

Water, canned food, batteries, flashlights, power banks. Here's what you should never leave out of your backpack for the first 72 hours of an emergency .

The European Union has sent Palazzo Chigi a handbook for emergencies signed by the EU Commissioner for Crisis Preparedness and Management, Hadja Lahbib , and the Minister for European Affairs, Tommaso Foti, has forwarded it to the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies.

These are non-binding indications, which invite citizens to stock up on essential goods to be prepared in the first three days of a crisis, when relief efforts and essential services could be slowed down or interrupted.

In 2026, the classic causes— natural disasters, Chernobyl accidents, wars —are joined by other hypotheses, from hacker attacks to sabotage, to even disinformation campaigns to create panic . This is the hybrid warfare that's been much talked about these days, following the attacks on large-scale retail refrigeration systems and, in France, even on the cold storage rooms where donors' blood bags are stored . The possibility of rogue artificial intelligences, as hypothesized by Nobel Prize winner Geoffrey Hinton, who spoke of a possible "AI Chernobyl," cannot be ruled out.

The emergency kit includes enough shelf-stable food for nine meals (foods that can be stored at room temperature and do not require heating before consumption, "edible with little or no preparation"). It also includes water for drinking and hygiene, medicines and first aid supplies, and personal hygiene supplies . Brussels also suggests keeping cash, notes, and coins on hand to make essential purchases in the event of electronic payment systems being disrupted. The emergency backpack should also include batteries, flashlights, and cell phone power banks in case of power outages. In fact, it's best to also have an older model cell phone on hand , as smartphones are vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Brussels also suggests that member states implement an information campaign through advertising, meetings in schools, and public relations.

Several countries have also prepared emergency plans, some of which Corriere della Sera has reported.

In Great Britain there is the “Be Ready” initiative , which invites citizens to prepare for three days “without electricity, water or telephone connections”: 9 litres of water per person are needed, food to be consumed without cooking, a torch, a battery-powered or dynamo-powered radio, medicines, a power bank, cash.

In France, there is the “Tour Rasponsables” plan , updated in 2026: a battery-powered radio, six liters of water per person, medicines and copies of prescriptions, cash, a duplicate house key .

The Dutch government's "Denk vooruit" campaign, among other scenarios, describes a cyber attack that could block ATMs and credit cards. Always have 70 euros in cash per adult and 30 euros per child on hand. Also, nine liters of water, food, a radio, and a power bank. Citizens are encouraged to prepare a family plan and to coordinate with neighbors.

In Sweden, a similar plan recommends citizens stock up on food, water, medicines, and battery-powered radios. For cash, it's recommended to keep 1,000 kronor (about ninety euros) at home per adult. Those undergoing treatment should have a month's supply of medicines .