SUMMARY
Sweden and Finland have intensified efforts to prepare their citizens for potential conflicts, reflecting heightened security concerns due to the war in Ukraine. Both nations, having recently joined NATO after abandoning decades of military non-alignment, are emphasizing public resilience and readiness for crises. Sweden has begun distributing 5.2 million copies of its updated pamphlet, “If Crisis or War Comes,” to households nationwide. The 32-page booklet, issued by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), provides guidance on handling threats such as war, natural disasters, cyberattacks, and terrorism. It advises citizens to stockpile essentials like non-perishable food and water. This marks the sixth release of the pamphlet since World War II, with the last edition in 2018 causing a stir as it revived Cold War-era preparedness messaging. In Finland, the government launched a new online portal offering comprehensive guidance on preparedness.
