France is set to distribute a “survival manual” to each household as part of a government initiative aimed at enhancing citizens’ preparedness for potential “imminent threats,” such as armed conflict within the country. According to a spokesperson for Prime Minister François Bayrou, the manual’s purpose is to foster resilience in various crises, including natural disasters, cyber incidents, health emergencies like COVID-19, and security threats such as terrorism and warfare.
Pending approval by Bayrou, the 20-page booklet is expected to be delivered before the summer in the northern hemisphere. This initiative mirrors the updates to similar survival booklets in Sweden and Finland, which provide guidance on dealing with military conflicts, communication breakdowns, and severe weather events. The content of the new manual will align closely with advice already available on a French government website established in 2022 for emergency preparedness.
The manual will comprise three sections, offering practical advice for protecting oneself and loved ones in times of crisis. Recommendations will include maintaining a list of emergency contacts, identifying local radio channels, and securing doors in case of a nuclear incident. It will also encourage community involvement through volunteering in local fire-fighting units or reserve military forces.
Households will be advised to prepare a “survival kit,” which should include essentials like six litres of bottled water, canned goods, batteries, a flashlight for power outages, and medical supplies such as paracetamol and saline solution. Opinions among citizens vary, with some like Moussa Saki, a 19-year-old restaurant server in Paris, supporting the government’s proactive measures, while others, such as 56-year-old Carine Langlois, express scepticism about the possibility of armed conflict in France.
Laure Mourgue d’Algue, a primary school teacher, shares a more pragmatic view, suggesting that the manual serves a preventive purpose, although she highlights the necessity of training in addition to the written guidance to ensure psychological safety.
The Prime Minister’s office emphasises the importance of keeping citizens informed about threats and promoting community engagement through associations, such as reserve forces. Earlier this month, President Emmanuel Macron declared a comprehensive reform of France’s security measures, aiming to boost the number of operational reservists from 40,000 to 100,000 by 2035. He stressed the need for the country to remain prepared for future uncertainties as France continues to bolster its military capabilities.