Armed Conflict and War
For decades most Europeans treated war as something that happened elsewhere. Since 2022, governments in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Poland and other countries have again sent their citizens guidance on what to do if it comes. The message is calm and practical: a prepared population is harder to frighten and easier to protect. Most of what you need is the same as for any long crisis.
1. Before
- Learn your country's warning signals: sirens, mobile alerts and what each one means. In many countries, a siren means go indoors and listen to public radio.
- Find your nearest public shelter, and where you would take cover if there is none: a basement, underground car park or metro station. See public shelters in Norway.
- Keep a home kit for at least 7 days, a battery radio and a go-bag for each person.
- Keep ID, key documents, cash and medicines ready to take with you.
- Make a family plan with meeting points and an out-of-area contact. See Make a Plan.
- Learn first aid.
- Read your government's own brochure. It applies to where you live.
2. During
Air raid warning or attack
- Go at once to a shelter, basement or the innermost room of the building, away from windows.
- If you are outside with no shelter, lie down in a low spot and protect your head.
- Stay there until the all-clear is given.
Daily life
- Follow official instructions on movement, curfews, blackouts and evacuation.
- Expect power, water, internet and payments to fail. See Power outages, Water outages and Communication failure.
- Never touch unexploded ammunition, drones or unknown objects. Mark the place from a distance and report it.
- Do not post photos or information about military movements or damage.
Disinformation
- False information is a weapon. Check the source before you believe or share.
- Swedish authorities tell citizens that any message saying resistance has ceased is false. Trust official channels.
- See how to recognise real information during a crisis and hybrid threats in Europe.
If you must leave
- Follow official evacuation routes. Take documents, medicines, water, warm clothes and chargers.
- Tell your contact where you are going. See Urban Evacuation.
3. After
- Return only when authorities say the area is safe and cleared of explosives.
- Look after your mental health and your children's. See Mental Resilience.
Quick checklist
- Warning signals known
- Nearest shelter located
- Home kit, battery radio, go-bags
- Documents, cash and medicines ready
- Family plan and meeting points
- Official brochure read
See all risks.
Sources
- MCF Sweden: In case of crisis or war (brochure)
- DSB Norway: Egenberedskap (PDF, Norwegian)
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Educational material. Always follow instructions from your national authorities. Last reviewed: November 2026.