The conflict is getting worse, dangerous, and unpredictable with each passing hour.
(Map: www.aljazeera.com)
New Delhi: No News can be as unsettling and scary for people than to be asked by their government to be prepared and ready for the worst case scenarios, like war. This is especially more intense for countries famous for their serenity and happiness index, like Sweden and Finland.
Sweden and Finland have recently joined the anti-Russia front NATO in favour of Ukraine.
Sweden on Monday, November 18, started distributing pamphlets, about five million as reports say, to residents, urging them to prepare for the possibility of a war while Finland has launched a new preparedness website.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, marking a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War which started in 2014. The conflict is getting worse, dangerous, and unpredictable with each passing hour. It has divided nations into two blocs, one each for either side.
In this regard, Sweden and Finland have abandoned their decades old policy of military non-alignment and decided to join the US-led military alliance NATO.
To recall, Sweden has, since the start of the war, has repeatedly urged Swedes to prepare both mentally and logistically for the possibility of war, citing the serious security situation in its vicinity.
The booklet “If Crisis or War Comes”, sent by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), contains information about how to prepare for emergencies such as war, natural disasters, or cyberattacks. MSB says there is a stronger focus on preparation for war and over the next two weeks, 5.2 million copies will be sent to Swedish households of the 32-page document.
What is even more shocking, or interesting is that the pamphlets that are being distributed currently are an “updated version of a pamphlet that Sweden has issued five times since World War II”.
The previous version sent out in 2018, as it was the first time it had been sent to Swedes since 1961 at the height of the Cold War.
“The security situation is serious and we all need to strengthen our resilience to face various crises and ultimately war,” MSB director Mikael Frisell said in a statement.
The pamphlet outlines with simple illustrations the threats facing the Nordic nation, including military conflict, natural disasters, and cyber and terror attacks.
It includes tips for preparedness, such as keeping non-perishable food in stock and storing water. The pamphlet is available in print in both Swedish and English and digital versions are available in several other languages, including Arabic, Farsi, Ukrainian, Polish, Somali, and Finnish.
Interestingly, Sweden’s former army chief Micael Byden warned many of his compatriots in January when he urged them to consider their own preparedness.
“Swedes have to mentally prepare for war,” he said.
Finland shares a 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border with Russia. On Monday, November 18, the government launched a website gathering information on preparedness for different crises.
(With AFP inputs)