France preparing ‘survival manual’ for every household, report says

The French government is reportedly planning to send a “survival manual” to every household in the country with instructions on how to prepare for an “imminent threat” including armed conflict, a health crisis or a natural disaster.

If approved by François Bayrou, the prime minister, the 20-page booklet will be sent to households before the summer, French media reported.

It will be divided into three parts with advice on how to protect “yourself and those around you”, what to do if a threat is imminent – with a list of emergency numbers, radio channels and a reminder to close doors and windows if the threat is nuclear – and details of how to get involved in defending your community, including signing up for reserve units or firefighting groups.

It will also suggest putting together a “survival kit” consisting of at least six litres of water, a dozen tins of food, batteries and a torch, as well as basic medical supplies including paracetamol, compresses and saline solution, according to Europe 1 radio, which reported the story.

It quoted a spokesperson from the PM’s office saying: “The purpose of this document is to ensure the resilience of populations in the face of all types of crisis, whether natural, technological, cyber or security-related.”

The French PM’s office did not respond to the Guardian’s request for confirmation of the information.

The report comes after Emmanuel Macron said France would speed up and increase orders for Rafale fighter jets, boosting the country’s air force “to prepare if we want to avoid war”.

Earlier this month, Macron urged France and Europe to prepare to confront the “Russian threat” and the possibility of America disengaging from the continent.

“I want to believe the US will stay by our side, but we have to be ready if they don’t,” he said in a national address adding, “Russia has become, at this moment and for years to come, a threat to France and Europe.”

Visiting a military base in eastern France on Tuesday, Macron said the decision on additional investment in military hardware to respond to the “acceleration of events” would be announced in the coming weeks.

“Our country and our continent must continue to defend itself, to equip and to prepare if we want to avoid war. Nobody can say what will happen in the months or years to come. What I want is for us to be ready. What I want is for us to be protected.”