France to distribute crisis survival pamphlets
The French government is reportedly planning to distribute crisis survival manuals to the public.
According to French daily
Le Figaro
, the booklets will explain how to respond to various types of crises, including industrial accidents, severe climate events, cyber attacks and even armed conflict.
Le Figaro reported that France's General Secretariat for Defence and National Security has been responsible for creating the booklet.
The prime minister's office told Le Figaro that the booklet was in the process of being approved by the prime minister.
According to
Europe 1,
the booklet will be around 20 pages long and will be sent out to all French households over the summer.
While the content was allegedly inspired by the manual Sweden released
at the end of 2024,
the French version is less focused on armed conflict and more based on offering practical advice to "face a few days independently".
Advice will apparently include getting contact information for neighbours and creating a 'survival kit' of at least six litres of bottled water, a dozen cans of food and batteries, a flashlight in the event of a power outage, as well as paracetamol, compresses and saline solution, Europe 1 reported.
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Overall, it is expected to be divided into three parts, with the first about 'protecting yourself and those around you' and the second about what to do if a threat is imminent (with lists of emergency numbers and radio channels and reminders to close doors and windows it the crisis is nuclear).
Meanwhile, the third part is expected to offer tips on how to 'get involved' in your community (eg. enrolling in the reserves or the volunteer firefighter group).
Why now?
The French initiative is apparently part of a previously discussed 'National resilience strategy' from April 2022, which was developed in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic to 'prepare France, its businesses and its citizens for shocks and to withstand crises', Le Figaro reported.
Nevertheless, plans to distribute a disaster-prep guide come as the French presidency ramps up its response to the international situation.
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At the start of March, French President Emmanuel Macron issued a televised address, advising that the French would need to face Russia.
Macron told the French that "Russia has become, at the moment I am speaking to you and for the years to come, a threat to France and Europe (...) It would be madness to remain a spectator in this world of danger."
READ MORE:
Macron proposes French nuclear extension and Ukraine troop deployment
The government has warned that France and other European countries would need to 'rearm', with Macron calling for a boost in defence spending in France and the opening of a debate surrounding whether or not to extend France's nuclear deterrent to other European nations.
The president has ruled out bringing back conscription, but said that he was
looking at ways that France can 'mobilise civilians'
.
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