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France is preparing to distribute a “survival manual” to every household to help citizens prepare for “imminent threats” – including armed conflict on French soil.
“The survival manual aims to encourage citizens to develop their resilience in the face of different crises,” a spokeswoman for Prime Minister François Bayrou told CNN on Wednesday.
“This includes natural disasters, technological and cyber incidents, health crises like Covid-19, and security crises like terrorist attacks and armed conflict,” she said.
If approved by Bayrou, the 20-page booklet will be delivered to households before the summer.
The French plan follows updates to similar booklets issued to millions of households in Sweden and Finland, which include instructions on how to prepare for the effects of military conflicts, communications outages and power cuts, as well as extreme weather events.
The new booklet will be similar in content to a French government website, launched in 2022, that provides advice on how to prepare for an emergency.
The manual will be divided into three sections, offering practical advice on how to protect yourself and loved ones in the face of immediate danger.
Among the recommendations will be having a list of emergency contacts (fire service, police and ambulance); knowing which radio channels to tune into; and ensuring that all doors are shut in the event of a nuclear accident.
The manual will also outline ways to contribute to the defense of the community, such as volunteering for reserve units or local fire-fighting groups.
The informational booklet will urge all households to prepare a “survival kit”, including six liters (1.6 gallons) of bottled water, a dozen canned goods, batteries, and a flashlight to handle potential power outages.
Additionally, it will recommend that citizens stock up on medical essentials such as paracetamol, compresses, and saline solution.
Moussa Saki, a 19-year-old restaurant server in Paris, supports the initiative, stating, “Being prepared for a crisis is crucial, and I believe the government is taking the right approach.”
While he doesn’t anticipate war on French soil, he emphasizes the importance of awareness: “People need to know what to do, just in case. Basic necessities like medicine and food should be accessible to every household.”
Carine Langlois, 56, remains doubtful about the prospect of an armed conflict in France.
“I don’t think war is imminent. It’s not President Emmanuel Macron’s role to intervene in disputes between Trump and Putin. France has other pressing concerns,” she said.
Reflecting on past challenges, she added, “We got through COVID-19, and we will handle whatever comes next.”
Laure Mourgue d’Algue, a 25-year-old primary school teacher, identifies as “anti-war” but sees the survival guide as a reasonable preventive measure.
“Nordic countries like Sweden and Denmark have a stronger psychological readiness compared to France,” she noted.
She stressed the importance of basic survival knowledge, saying, “Understanding how to manage electricity and other essentials is vital for risk preparedness.”
However, she also pointed out the limitations of such a booklet: “Psychological security matters, and a pamphlet alone won’t provide that. We need proper training.”
A spokeswoman for the prime minister stated, “The first step in citizen engagement is awareness—understanding threats and staying informed.”
She added that involvement could also extend to joining organizations like the reserve forces, emphasizing, “We are taking every measure to ensure citizens are prepared to respond in times of crisis.”
Earlier this month, Macron unveiled a major reform of France’s security strategy, including a plan to expand operational reservists from 40,000 to 100,000 by 2035.
During a visit to a military base in eastern France on Tuesday, he promised additional announcements on military capabilities, investments, and equipment in the coming weeks.
“Our country and continent must continue to strengthen their defenses and prepare in order to prevent war,” Macron declared.
“This is the course we have chosen and will continue to follow. No one can predict what the future holds.”
