The Swedish government has issued a pamphlet to its citizens on preparations for war and emergency.

According to the BBC, a 32-page pamphlet titled “if crisis or war comes” has been in distribution, beginning on Monday, November 18, warning swedes of possible war and emergency. 

With five million copies printed by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, the pamphlet addresses the current security situation in the country and diverse threats such as natural disasters and terrorism.

Sweden also suggested recommendations for preparedness, such as keeping non-perishable food in stock and maintaining a water supply.

Publication has been done in English and Swedish, with digital versions available in multiple languages, including Arabic, Farsi, Ukrainian and Somali. 

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency director, Mikail Frisell, said, “The security situation is serious, and we all need to strengthen our resilience to face various crises and ultimately war.”

Former army chief Micael Byden had echoed the same in January, urging Sweden to be mentally prepared for possible conflict.

NATO Allies ratified Finland’s Accession Protocol according to their national procedures. Finland deposited its Instrument of Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 2023, becoming NATO’s 31st member country. 

Sweden followed a similar path to NATO membership as Finland: joining the Partnership for Peace programme in 1994, contributing extensively to NATO activities as a close partner for almost three decades, and reversing its policy of military non-alignment following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Nordic countries NATO membership drew the ire of Russia, which is currently at war with Ukraine.