Survival manual to be sent to every French household by this summer

Euronews

20-03-2025

The French government is preparing to send some literature to every household this summer.
A new tome for the annual 'A book for the holidays' campaign? How delightful.
Well, not so wholesome or cheery as it turns out, as the literature in question is a twenty-page survival manual which details the steps to take in the event of an armed conflict or any crisis.
Modelled on a similar Norwegian booklet and the Swedish model, 'Om krisen eller kriget kommer' ('In case of crisis or war'), which was distributed to households in 2018, the booklet will detail "all the good gestures to adopt in the event of an imminent threat in France', a government source told Europe 1.
These threats include armed conflict, as well as natural disasters such as flooding or a new health epidemic.
The publication is reportedly divided into three distinct parts:
'Protecting yourself' - a section intended to raise solidarity when it comes to protecting oneself and neighbours. This first part also lists the survival kit to have at home in the event of a serious crisis. The kit includes at least six litres of bottled water, ten canned goods, batteries and a flashlight in case of a power cut.
'What to do in the event of an alert' - a part detailing the actions one must take in the event of an imminent threat. This chapter lists emergency numbers, radio frequencies, as well as tips like closing all doors in the event of a nuclear accident.
'Get involved' - this final section explains how to sign up to a reserve force, whether military or communal.
"This document aims to ensure the resilience of populations in the face of all types of crises, whether natural, technological, cyber, or security-related,' according to a statement from the government. 'This draft document, whose conditions for distribution to the French public have not yet been defined, is currently being approved by the Prime Minister.'
The title also has not been defined, and sources say that the two main options are: 'French Resilience" or "All Resilient'.
As you can imagine, the announcement of the distribution of a survival manual has sparked criticism online, with many calling it a waste of money, some likening it to Cold War brochures, and others writing: "Stop creating a climate of fear and anxiety."
Indeed, while hardly surprising in the wake of President Emmanuel Macron's March 5 speech, in which he declared that the threat of armed conflict with Russia concerned all European countries and called for strengthening the continent's defenses, a survival booklet doesn't exactly smack of reassurance.
However, as indicated by the General Secretariat for Defense and National Security (SGDSN), this guide is an integral part of the national resilience strategy, initiated after the Covid-19 pandemic - and therefore predates the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Still, until the pamphlet arrives in letterboxes, let's just hope the advice goes beyond 'close your doors in case of a nuclear blast'. Anxiety-inducing is one thing, but thinking that closed doors are going to prevent... well, anything... or that people would rush to crack open a window in order to take in as much of the nuclear mushroom as possible is insulting.
Hell of a sunrise, though.
Also, no mention of what to do in case of a zombie apocalypse...
Part 4, maybe?
J.K. Rowling appears to have taken an indirect jab at Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint in a recent social media post on X, reigniting tensions with the actors.
On Tuesday (18 March), when asked on social media, 'What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?' Rowling replied, 'Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible,' along with laughing emojis.
Many have interpreted it as a clear dig at Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint.
Once closely connected, the actors have distanced themselves from Rowling following a string of controversial statements she has made about transgender rights. Since 2020, the author has repeatedly shared views widely condemned as transphobic, including her assertion that trans women 'are not women' and that she would 'rather go to jail' than use a trans person's preferred pronouns.
Labeled a 'TERF' (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) by critics, Rowling has not only embraced the term but has worn it as a badge of honour.
Radcliffe, Watson and Grint have all spoken out against her views and defended transgender women and men. Last year, Radcliffe told The Atlantic that Rowling's views 'make me really sad', adding: 'Because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.'
Watson expressed her support, stating: "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are."
Meanwhile Rupert Grint said: "I firmly stand with the trans community... Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment."
Conclave star Ralph Fiennes, who played Lord Voldemort in the beloved film franchise, came to the author's defence: "The verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting, it's appalling.'
Rowling previously said that she wouldn't forgive the Harry Potter stars who have criticised her views. 'Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces,' she wrote on X.
The Harry Potter films are currently being reimagined into a HBO TV series, to which Rowling is an executive producer. Casting is underway. Unknowns are reportedly being scouted to play the roles of the Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
Meanwhile, six-time Emmy-winning actor John Lithgow has been confirmed to play the Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, stepping into the role previously played by Richard Harris, Michael Gambon and Jude Law.
HBO have defended the author's involvement in the TV seires despite controversy surrounding her name. 'J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.'