EU residents must be prepared to independently meet their basic needs during the first 72 hours of an emergency while government services organize assistance, the European Commission said. The new recommendations were presented by the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Laviv, at the European Civil Protection Forum. The document is advisory in nature and is not mandatory. "When disaster strikes, the first few hours can be critical. Every European should know what to do, how to protect his family and how to help others. The preparation starts in our homes, schools and communities," said Lahabib.

EU residents must be prepared to independently meet their basic needs during the first 72 hours of an emergency while government services organize assistance, the European Commission said. The new recommendations were presented by the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Laviv, at the European Civil Protection Forum. The document is advisory in nature and is not mandatory. "When disaster strikes, the first few hours can be critical. Every European should know what to do, how to protect his family and how to help others. The preparation starts in our homes, schools and communities," said Lahabib.