Nordic neighbors release new advice on surviving war. Millions of Swedes have received copies of a pamphlet advising the population how to prepare and cope in the event of war or another unexpected crisis. A worsening security situation has encouraged Nordic governments to advise their citizens on how to behave in case of crisis or war in the Nordics.
Residents of Sweden have received a handy new guide that details how to prepare for various types of crisis situations or wartime should geopolitical events threaten the country. Denmark, Finland and Norway have also released new guidelines for citizens on preparing for potential conflicts and emergencies, reflecting heightened security concerns due to the war in Ukraine. Sweden‘s updated pamphlet, “If Crisis or War Comes,” emphasizes self-sufficiency and emergency readiness, while Finland provides online resources detailing military responses.
“In case of crisis or war” has been updated from six years ago because of what the government in Stockholm calls the worsening security situation, by which it means Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The booklet is twice the size of the previous version.
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Citing factors such as war, terrorism, cyberattacks, and increasingly extreme weather events, the 32-page guide was commissioned by the government and calls for unity to secure the country’s independence.
Norway encourages residents to be prepared for a week without assistance. During the summer, Denmark’s emergency management agency emailed Danish adults details on the supplies they would need to get through a crisis for three days. These initiatives mark a shift from previous neutrality, particularly after Sweden and Finland joined NATO amid escalating tensions with Russia.
In a detailed section on military conflict, the Finnish digital brochure explains how the government and president would respond in the event of an armed attack, stressing that Finland’s authorities are “well prepared for self-defense”.
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The Swedish brochure says, “We build resilience every day, together with our loved ones, colleagues, friends, and neighbors. In this brochure, you learn how to prepare for, and act, in case of crisis or war. You are part of Sweden’s overall emergency preparedness.”
In Case of Crisis or War in the Nordics, reported by Tor Kjolberg