Authorities in Nordic countries have issued updated guidance to help citizens prepare for potential crises, including war.
On Monday, millions of Swedes began receiving an updated version of the six-year-old brochure titled “In case of crisis or war”, providing advice on how to cope with wartime or emergency situations. The pamphlet has been expanded, now twice its original size, reflecting the worsening security climate.
Finland has also released new online advice regarding “preparation for incidents and crises,” detailing the government’s and president’s response in case of an armed attack.
In Norway, citizens received guidance advising them to be prepared to rely on their own resources for up to a week in the event of extreme weather, war, or other emergencies. Unlike Sweden and Norway, Finland chose not to distribute printed copies to every household, citing the high cost and the ease of updating digital versions.
Denmark’s emergency agency similarly provided the adult population with detailed advice on how to survive a three-day crisis, covering essentials like water, food, and medications.
For Swedes, the concept of an emergency pamphlet is longstanding. The first edition of “If War Comes” was published during World War II and updated during the Cold War.
Swedish Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin emphasized last month that, given the current global security situation, it is crucial that the information provided to Swedish households reflects these evolving threats.
