The war psychosis continues to spread across Europe, and people are no longer merely being bombarded with constant fearmongering from pro-war politicians and public figures. Now the panic and so-called “sensitisation” are being pushed in far more practical ways. In recent weeks, for example, every Dutch household has received a 33-page government handbook on preparing for emergencies. The guide sets out how to survive the first three days of a disaster, when authorities and emergency services may be unable to reach everyone.

Foort van Oosten, the Netherlands’ acting Minister of Justice and Security, presented the booklet, which opens with a series of doomsday scenarios. These include emergencies such as a successful cyber-attack on the electricity grid, after which within hours people would be unable to contact friends and family, petrol stations would close, supermarkets would run out of supplies, and it would be uncertain whether tap water would still be available.

“This situation shows how vulnerable we can be, and how important good preparation is, so that we do not have to panic or start hoarding,” Mr. Van Oosten said, adding: “I ask everyone to think ahead. With this information booklet, we want to ensure that every Dutch citizen can be well prepared for an emergency.”

The booklet encourages people to assemble an emergency kit containing items such as drinking water, a battery-powered torch, long-life food, a first-aid kit, copies of identification documents, a map of the local area, and a whistle to attract the attention of rescue services.

The government also recommends drawing up an emergency plan, taking into account, for example, who will collect children from school if digital communication fails, and what will happen to vulnerable neighbours.

Tijdens de eerste 72 uur van een noodsituatie zijn dagelijkse voorzieningen mogelijk niet meer beschikbaar en kunnen hulpdiensten niet overal aanwezig zijn. Bereid je dus goed voor en maak een noodpakket. Kijk voor tips en meer informatie op https://t.co/azBj6aok56 pic.twitter.com/s0LCBpmy5J

— Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid (@ministerieJenV) December 11, 2025

Asked whether the booklet might create fear, Ruben Brekelmans, the acting Defence Minister, told Nieuwsuur that the government hopes to achieve the opposite: to help people feel safe by knowing they are prepared.

We got Doomsday packages from Dutch government last week. Tells you to prepare 72 hours of stuff like a doomsday prepper. pic.twitter.com/BxBXCGAEZ0

— Renagle Bagel (@renaglebagel) December 12, 2025

Mr. Brekelmans described the booklet as absolutely necessary, pointing out that the Netherlands already faces cyber-attacks on a daily basis, and that Russian ships are spying in the North Sea. “They may be preparing sabotage that could affect vital infrastructure,” he said, adding: “It is possible that Russia will be willing to take greater risks in the coming years.”

Preparing For Emergencies Across Europe

The Netherlands is only the latest country to urge its population to prepare for emergencies. In the United Kingdom, for example, households have also been asked to put together three-day survival kits in the event of a possible future conflict. This forms part of a broader European “preparedness strategy”, aimed at ensuring that citizens can remain self-sufficient in emergency situations.

The initiative was launched by Hadja Lahbib, the EU Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, based on recommendations made by Sauli Niinisto, the former President of Finland, in a report submitted to the European Commission. “The threats facing Europe today are more complex than ever, and they are all interconnected,” Ms. Lahbib said. She stressed that preparing for emergencies and thinking through different scenarios helps to prevent panic, referring to the toilet paper shortages seen during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, the EU launches its new #Preparedness Strategy.

“Ready for anything” — this must be our new European way of life. Our motto and #hashtag. pic.twitter.com/fA1z8ZvMDA

— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) March 26, 2025

The strategy calls on the EU to create strategic reserves and stockpile essential resources, including firefighting aircraft, medical, energy and transport equipment, as well as specialised tools for countering chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. Some EU lawmakers have suggested distributing preparedness handbooks to every household to help citizens clearly understand what they should do in the event of a crisis.

Several European countries already maintain similar preparedness measures. Sweden recommends that households stockpile water, energy-dense food, blankets, alternative heating options and a battery-powered radio. Norway advises keeping non-essential medicines on hand for a potential nuclear accident, including iodine tablets that can be used in cases of radioactive contamination.

Germany has asked citizens to convert basements, garages or other storage spaces into safe shelters, and has also mandated the construction of bunkers in new homes — a requirement that has already been introduced in Poland.