France is planning to distribute a "survival manual" to every household, aimed at helping citizens prepare for "imminent threats," including potential armed conflicts on French soil. This manual aims to enhance the public's ability to cope with various crises, thereby strengthening the overall resilience of society.
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03-20, 2025A spokesperson for French Prime Minister François Bayrou stated that the manual covers natural disasters, technological and cyber incidents, health crises similar to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as security crises such as terrorist attacks and armed conflicts. The 20-page booklet is expected to be delivered to households before the arrival of the Northern Hemisphere summer, pending Bayrou's approval.
The plan mirrors approaches taken by Sweden and Finland, which have previously distributed similar booklets to millions of households, detailing how to prepare for military conflicts, communication disruptions, power outages, and extreme weather events. The new manual's content is similar to a website launched by the French government in 2022, which also provides advice on how to prepare for emergencies.
Divided into three sections, the manual offers practical advice, guiding citizens on how to protect themselves and their loved ones when facing immediate danger. Recommendations include preparing a list of emergency contacts (fire department, police, and ambulance), knowing which radio channels to listen to, and ensuring all doors and windows are closed in the event of a nuclear accident. The manual will also outline how to contribute to community defense, such as volunteering for the reserve forces or local fire department. It will also cover the measures to take in the event of a conflict on French soil.
The manual advises all families to prepare a "survival kit" including six liters of bottled water, a dozen canned goods, batteries, and a flashlight, to cope with power outages. In addition, citizens are advised to purchase medical supplies, such as paracetamol, compression bandages, and saline solution. Moussa Saki, a 19-year-old waiter in Paris, said, "Preparing for a crisis is very important, and I think the government is taking the right steps. I am not worried about a war on French soil, but people need to know what to do, just in case. Basic necessities like medicine and food should be provided to every household."
However, not everyone is optimistic about this. Karine Langlois, 56, is skeptical about the possibility of armed conflict in France. "I don't think there will be a war. It is not President Emmanuel Macron's job to interfere in matters between Trump and Putin. France has other more pressing issues to focus on," Langlois said. "We survived the COVID-19 pandemic, and if something else happens, we can handle it."
Raoul Mourgues D'algue, a 25-year-old primary school teacher who describes himself as "anti-war," believes the manual "makes sense from a preventative perspective." "Nordic countries like Sweden and Denmark are psychologically more prepared than France," Mourgues D'algue said. "Having basic knowledge of what is needed to survive – like knowing how to deal with electricity – is important in terms of risk management." But she also pointed out that a manual alone may not be enough. "Psychological security is important, and a piece of paper cannot provide that. We need training," she said.
The Prime Minister's spokesperson stated, "The first step in citizen engagement is understanding the threats and staying informed. Engagement can also mean joining associations, such as the reserve forces. We are doing everything we can to ensure that citizens are prepared to respond to crises." Earlier this month, Macron announced a "major overhaul" of France's security forces, including plans to increase the operational reserve from 40,000 to 100,000 by 2035.
Macron stated on Tuesday, while visiting a military base in eastern France, that additional measures regarding military capabilities, investments, and equipment will be announced in the coming weeks. "If we want to avoid war, our nation and our continent must continue to defend ourselves, equip ourselves, and prepare ourselves," Macron said. "This is a choice we have already made and will continue to make. No one can say what will happen in the coming months and years."
