France Unveils Crisis Survival Manual to Boost Public Resilience Amid Rising Global Tensions
March 18, 2025
Divided into three sections, the manual will provide self-protection advice, immediate action instructions during threats, and ways for citizens to engage in community defense.
Among the guidance offered, citizens will learn how to respond during imminent threats, including emergency contact numbers and specific actions for various crises, such as closing doors during a nuclear accident.
This initiative aligns with a broader trend in Europe, where other nations are also developing survival guides to equip their populations for potential crises.
The French government is preparing to distribute a survival manual designed to enhance public resilience against various crises, including industrial accidents, severe climate events, cyberattacks, and armed conflict.
This initiative, developed in secrecy by the General Secretariat for Defense and National Security (SDGSN), draws inspiration from similar guides used in Nordic countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
The manual is part of France's broader 'National resilience strategy,' established in April 2022, which aims to prepare citizens for crises following the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Emmanuel Macron has highlighted the 'Russian threat' to Europe as a significant reason for the manual's development, reflecting a shift in France's defense posture.
While some public figures have ridiculed the recommendations, others see the manual as a sensible preventive measure, emphasizing the need for practical training beyond just having a guide.
Current global tensions, particularly the increased threats from Russia, underscore the necessity for personal preparedness, with a recent survey indicating that many French citizens fear the war in Ukraine could expand to France.
The manual is currently awaiting approval from the prime minister's office, with public support for such initiatives being notably high.
Unlike Sweden's approach, which emphasizes the likelihood of war, the French manual focuses on resilience and preparation without explicitly addressing the potential for armed conflict on French soil.
The manual will recommend creating a 'survival kit' that includes essential supplies like water, canned food, batteries, and basic medical items, reflecting a proactive approach to crisis preparedness.
Summary based on 15 sources
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Sources

The Guardian • Mar 18, 2025
France preparing ‘survival manual’ for every household, report says
The Guardian • Mar 19, 2025
How would I survive the apocalypse? By stocking up on the key item most preppers forget | Emma Brockes
NBC News • Mar 20, 2025
As security fears grip Europe, France plans to distribute a 'survival guide' to households