French Prime Minister François Bailloux will distribute a “survival manual” to all households with instructions on how to prepare for acute threats.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office told NBC News that the first person document currently awaiting official approval is working to prepare for armed conflict, nuclear threats and natural disasters.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the 20-page booklet is not specifically designed for the current geopolitical climate, but appears to coincide with France’s new defensive stance.
In a national speech on March 5th, French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the need to review France’s security stance, saying, “We must better equip ourselves, raise our defense stance, and even block this for peace.”
According to French broadcaster Europe 1 Radio, if approved, the manual will be released before the summer and aims to provide practical advice to citizens on how they can protect themselves and their loved ones in the face of immediate dangers.
The three-section manual includes a list of emergency contacts for police, firefighters and ambulances, as well as a radio channel to tune for details.
Faced with nuclear threats, it advises with closing doors and windows and details on how to volunteer for spare units and firefighters.
Recommendations include putting together a “survival kit” consisting of at least a gallon of water, cans of food, first aid kits, medications, batteries and flashlights.
In a national speech earlier this month, Macron urged his country to prepare to stand up to the “Russian threat” by referring to changes in relations between the US and Europe in recent months.
“I want to believe the US will stay on our side, but otherwise we will have to be ready,” Macron said, according to Reuters, “Russia is currently a threat to France and Europe for years to come.”
After visiting a military base in eastern France this month, Macron announced a “major overhaul” of French security forces. This included increasing the number of reserves serving between 40,000 and 100,000 by 2035 and increasing military equipment.
He added that France is willing to argue that it willing to provide the country’s nuclear capabilities to its European allies, given that US military support is no longer guaranteed.
“This is a choice we made and will continue to do so. No one can say what will happen in the coming months and years,” he said.
The move follows in the footsteps of neighbors and NATO allies Finland, Norway and Sweden.
In Sweden, a pamphlet called “Om Krisen Eller Kriget Kommer” or “If Crisis or War Comes” was distributed by the Swedish Civil Contingency Bureau (MSB) to all five million households over two weeks starting November 18th, but the digital version was available online.
According to MSB, it is the fifth version of the first brochure published in World War II, and “focuses on preparing for war.”
