Warsaw is taking proactive measures to ensure its citizens are ready for potential crises, following Sweden’s lead in preparing for worst-case scenarios.
Poland is set to encourage its population to stockpile at least three days’ worth of essential supplies in case of war or other emergencies, Deputy Interior Minister Wieslaw Lesniakiewicz has announced.
This move aligns with a broader European security push, following European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal for an €800 billion ($875 billion) military build-up. The initiative aims to counter what the EU perceives as a growing threat from Russia—claims that Moscow has repeatedly dismissed as baseless.
According to Lesniakiewicz, every Polish citizen should be prepared to sustain themselves for at least 72 hours without government assistance. He urged people to gather necessities such as food, water, medicine, and power banks. He also recommended obtaining transistor radios to maintain communication in case of disruptions to other networks.
To support this preparedness initiative, Polish ministries will collaborate to publish a crisis readiness guide, drawing inspiration from Sweden’s long-standing civil defense materials.
Poland to Fortify Borders with Landmines
Last year, Sweden distributed updated versions of its ‘In case of crisis or war’ pamphlet, significantly expanding its content in response to security concerns stemming from the Ukraine conflict. Other Nordic nations, including Finland, Norway, and Denmark, have also introduced similar resources to prepare their citizens for potential hostilities.
On Wednesday, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Bejda revealed plans to reinforce Poland’s borders with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave by deploying anti-personnel landmines. The project, part of the $2.6 billion ‘Eastern Shield’ initiative, could see up to a million mines deployed, despite previous bans on their use.
Meanwhile, Moscow has consistently rejected accusations that it poses a threat to NATO or the EU. Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed such claims as “complete nonsense, total rubbish.”
Here are some sources that provide additional information on Poland's recent initiatives concerning citizen preparedness and border security:
Emergency Preparedness Initiatives:
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Poland's Ministry of the Interior and Administration plans to distribute a crisis preparedness guide to every household by the end of the year. Developed with the Ministry of National Defense and the Government Security Center, the guide offers instructions on surviving for 72 hours during emergencies such as power outages, natural disasters, and war. UNITED24 Media
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The "HELP BAG" is an 8-module emergency kit containing over 100 items designed to support individuals during emergencies like power shortages and natural disasters. HELP BAG
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The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends assembling a disaster supplies kit with essentials like water, food, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a flashlight, and a first aid kit to survive on your own for several days after a disaster. Ready.gov+1Wikipedia+1
Border Security Measures:
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Poland, along with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, plans to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel landmines. This decision is driven by increased military threats from Russia and Belarus, aiming to enhance defense capabilities along their eastern borders. Commonspace+3Reuters+3AP News+3
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The four NATO countries—Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland—are seeking EU funding to construct extensive border defenses against Russia and Belarus. The "Baltic Defense Line" initiative includes bunkers, barriers, and military warehouses to strengthen territorial security. AP News+1Business Insider+1
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