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SYNCHRONIZED EFFORT ⟩ Finland and Sweden Launch New Civil Defense Campaign on the Same Day to Prepare Citizens for Crises and Defense Activities

Photo: Claudio Bresciani/AFP
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In November, Finland and Sweden will begin distributing updated guidelines to their citizens on how to prepare for war or other crises.

On November 18, Sweden will begin distributing a guide to its citizens on how to act in the event of war or a crisis. About five million copies of the book will be printed and distributed to every household.

On the very same day, Finland plans to launch a comprehensive website containing information on crisis preparedness. According to Finland’s Ministry of the Interior's communications director, Erikka Koistinen, the website will address preparations for various crisis situations, such as war, civil defense, evacuations, and national defense.

Koistinen added that the website will also cover mental health topic. For example, it will provide guidance on how to maintain the ability to function during a crisis, how to help neighbors, and how to foster a sense of community.

A cheerful illustration from the Lithuanian civil defense booklet issued in 2015.
A cheerful illustration from the Lithuanian civil defense booklet issued in 2015. Photo: Screenshot

She mentioned that studies and reports indicate citizens expect authorities to solve problems, but the state aims to change this mindset.

"In a major crisis, there won’t always be people everywhere to help others; everyone must take action themselves," Koistinen said.

"In a welfare society, we are used to the state stepping in to help. Preparation is something everyone should do on their own. We try to talk about this positively and not frighten people."

For Finns, the most familiar concept when preparing for emergencies is the three-day crisis supply. This means having enough water and food to last the entire family for at least three days.

15 June 2024, Latvia, Jurmala: A paramedic explains how a medical device works to visitors at the nationwide Civil Protection Information Day.
15 June 2024, Latvia, Jurmala: A paramedic explains how a medical device works to visitors at the nationwide Civil Protection Information Day. Photo: Alexander Welscher/dpa/picture-alliance

Helsingin Sanomat also pointed out an interesting difference between Finland and neighboring countries. While Finland recommends a three-day crisis supply, Sweden and Estonia suggest gathering enough supplies for at least a week.

Other countries in the region, following Russia's occupation of Crimea and the war in Donbas, have updated their civil defense instructions. This move aligns with the commitments made by NATO allies during the 2016 Warsaw Summit to enhance both civilian and military resilience in member states.

However, these public information campaigns are often considered sources of stress. In 2015, Lithuania released a booklet titled "Prepare to Survive Emergencies and War: A Cheerful Take on Serious Recommendations," pairing essential instructions with comic illustrations to ease readers' tension.

Civil defense app "Be ready!" developed by the Estonian Defense League.
Civil defense app "Be ready!" developed by the Estonian Defense League. Photo: Erik Prozes

Around the same time, Estonia developed the mobile application "Be Ready!" which functions without an internet connection and has tens of thousands of downloads. The app’s latest update includes a feature allowing users to photograph aerial objects and report them directly to the Estonian Defense Forces, a feature inspired by similar solutions used in wartime Ukraine.

Latvia revised its Law on Civil Defense and Disaster Management in 2016, and in 2020, it established civil protection committees in collaboration with local municipalities. This initiative was largely driven by the need for more effective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, respondents across Europe feel most vulnerable to extreme weather events (38%), human health emergencies (27%), and floods (26%) when it comes to personal disaster risks.

Just over one in five respondents mention cybersecurity threats (23%), political or geopolitical tensions (22%), or disruptions to critical infrastructure, such as electricity blackouts or interruptions to gas or drinking water supply (21%).

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