While the European Commission only recently recommended citizens to prepare 72-hour emergency kits, Luxembourg’s High Commissioner for National Security reveals the practice has been official policy here for years – even as nearly half of residents still feel unprepared for crises.

In March, the European Commission urged EU member states to advise citizens to assemble 72-hour emergency kits, ensuring self-sufficiency for at least three days during a crisis.

This recommendation comes amid rising global instability and increasing natural disasters. While the guidance is recent at the EU level, Luxembourg has promoted similar preparedness measures for years.

High Commissioner for National Security Guy Bley confirmed to our colleagues from RTL Télé that Luxembourg has advised residents to prepare emergency kits for “several years”. Detailed guidelines, including checklists for food, water, torches, cash, and document copies, are available on the government’s infocrise.lu website.

Mixed market response

Despite the EU’s heightened focus, Luxembourg’s pharmacists’ union and major supermarkets reported no significant uptick in emergency-related purchases. In contrast, outdoor retailer A.S. Adventure noted a 30% year-on-year sales increase for survival gear shortly after the announcement by the European Commission.

Nordine Guezoul, Store Manager at A.S. Adventure in Foetz, observed atypical demand: “Older women bought gas cylinders and burners out of precaution – even without knowing how to use them. They’re not our usual clientele.” While such products consistently sell well, Guezoul acknowledged a “small upsurge” post-announcement.

Nearly half of Luxembourg residents feel unprepared for emergencies

A 2024 Eurobarometer study reveals that 58% of EU citizens feel inadequately prepared for local emergencies – a sentiment shared by 49% of Luxembourg residents. The survey highlights particular concerns over extreme weather (35%), cyberattacks (31%), and nuclear incidents (27%), which High Commissioner Bley confirms as the country’s top risks.

While 42% of respondents believe their household food supplies could last a week during supply chain disruptions, preparedness drops sharply for utilities. Only 36% could manage 2-3 days without water supply, while half of residents estimate their ability to power essentials would last a day or less during outages.

The study underscores an information gap, with 71% of Luxembourg residents calling for clearer guidance to improve crisis readiness.

During his State of the Nation address, Prime Minister Luc Frieden announced Luxembourg’s first comprehensive national resilience strategy, set for implementation in 2025.

The plan already includes two key initiatives: the development of “Resc-LU”, a collaborative platform with the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) to enhance crisis response coordination between emergency services, municipalities, and private partners, as well as the modernisation of safety and rescue communication systems.

Preparedness without panic

While emphasising the importance of crisis readiness, High Commissioner Bley reassured residents that these measures are preventive rather than cause for alarm. “It’s about being prepared for incidents like floods or similar situations”, Bley stated.

The government recommends – though does not require – that residents assemble 72-hour emergency kits. Recent events like the major power outage in Portugal and Spain on 28 April, which left thousands without electricity for hours, underscore the value of preparedness.

Authorities stress that awareness and preventive action can significantly impact crisis outcomes, even during routine emergencies like power failures.

Comprehensive guidance on government response protocols and individual preparedness is available at infocrise.lu. During emergencies, real-time updates will be provided through lu-alert.lu and the LU-Alert mobile application.