AsianFin -- The European Union has called on its 450 million citizens to stockpile essential supplies, including food and water, for at least 72 hours as threats such as war, cyberattacks, climate change, and disease rise, increasing the likelihood of crises.

This directive marks a significant shift in the EU's approach to security, especially in light of recent warnings from the Trump administration about Europe's need to take more responsibility for its own defense.

In recent years, the EU has faced challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened tensions with Russia, which has attempted to exploit Europe's reliance on its natural gas supplies to undermine support for Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has cautioned that Russia could be capable of launching another attack on Europe by 2030.

"Today’s threats facing Europe are more complex than ever, and they are all interconnected," said Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, as she introduced a new strategy for addressing potential future disasters.