Czechia and EU boost crisis preparedness amid rising security concerns

Czechia is ramping up its crisis preparedness efforts as part of a broader European push to enhance civil resilience against growing security threats. This move comes amid heightened debates on national defense and the country’s role in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

The Czech Ministry of the Interior, in cooperation with the Fire and Rescue Service, is revising its crisis manuals, drawing inspiration from Nordic countries, reports iDnes. The updated materials, expected to be made available this summer, will offer clearer guidance for citizens on how to handle emergencies, including natural disasters, technological accidents, and potential military threats.

“The entire project is based on the idea of shared security, where responsibility does not rest solely on state institutions, but we all participate in it,” said Hana Malá, spokesperson for the Interior Ministry. The manuals could be distributed physically or made available online, a decision expected in the coming months.

Simultaneously, the European Union’s Preparedness Union Strategy, unveiled Wednesday, urges member states to ensure their citizens can sustain themselves for at least 72 hours in the event of a crisis. The plan also calls for improved civilian-military coordination and the stockpiling of medical supplies, raw materials, and energy equipment.

“We must think bigger because the threats are bigger,” Hadja Lahbib, the EU’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management told reporters. In a video posted on social media, Lahbib listed items important to have to survive 72 hours in a crisis, from food and water to a flashlight, power bank, radio, cash, and medication.

This push for enhanced crisis preparedness comes against the backdrop of intense national debates on defense in Czechia.

In a recent emergency session, Prime Minister Petr Fiala defended a resolution in the Chamber of Deputies that focuses on the modernization of the military and the strengthening of the country's defense capabilities. The session was marked by a boycott from opposition parties, including ANO and the Freedom and Direct Democracy, who criticized the closed-door nature of the discussions.

Fiala, a key proponent of the coalition’s defense agenda, argued that a strong Ukrainian army is the best guarantee for European security. His statements reflect the Czech government's broader stance on supporting Ukraine, with the prime minister attending a security meeting in Paris today to discuss ongoing military aid to the country.

“The best security guarantee for the future is a strong Ukrainian army that can act as a deterrent to further Russian aggression,” Fiala said.

With 31 countries participating in the Paris summit, which will also include NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Czech government’s renewed focus on crisis preparedness reflects a growing recognition that security threats require both military readiness and a well-prepared civilian population.

Czech firefighters currently have an up-to-date manual on their website (in Czech) that can be used by anyone who finds themselves in a crisis situation or wants to prepare for one.

This spring, a new warning system should also be implemented, which is intended to serve to warn and inform people in the event of accidents, attacks or natural disasters.