‘Everyone has duty to defend Sweden’: 4.8mn homes to get war prepper manual

The Swedish government is issuing pamphlets explaining how citizens should prepare for a multitude of potential crises from terrorist attacks to all-out war, saying: "Sweden is safer than many other countries but threats exist."

The booklet, produced by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), advises Swedes to stock up on tinned food, bottled water and blankets in addition to planning how they would manage the supply of water, food, heat and communications when public services are not functioning as normal.

Furthermore, the booklet makes it clear that all fit Swedes and foreign residents would be expected to play their part should a crisis occur, as everyone living in Sweden has a "duty to contribute to total defense," which, depending on an individual's health, could mean conscription to the armed forces, or to civil or governmental agencies.

The booklet lists "everything from serious accidents, extreme weather and IT attacks to, in the worst-case scenario, war” and contains information “important in light of the deterioration in the security situation in the rest of the world."

© Government of Sweden © Reuters

The booklet also discusses how to deal with misleading information, encouraging Swedish citizens to “to critically appraise the source" by asking questions like "is this factual information or opinion?" and "who has put this out?"

"We all have a responsibility for our country's safety and preparedness, so it's important for everyone to also have knowledge on how we can contribute if something serious occurs," MSB General Director Dan Eliasson said in a statement. "If Sweden is attacked by another country, we will never give up. All information to the effect that resistance is to cease is false."

Sweden originally published and distributed the ‘If War Comes’ booklet during the World War II and will now issue an updated version during the country’s Emergency Preparedness Week from May 28 to June 3.

The online version of the booklet, available in 13 languages, can be found on a website designed "for those who want to monitor the development and planning of Sweden's total defense."

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