Sweden's Crisis Preparedness Brochure Earns Global Acclaim for Transparency and Public Outreach
Sweden's widely distributed crisis preparedness brochure gains international praise for its openness about war and inspires other countries.
- • The brochure was distributed to 5.2 million Swedish households in 2024.
- • Sweden and Norway are unique in Europe for issuing preparedness brochures twice recently.
- • MSB highlights the brochure as a successful public readiness tool at security conferences.
- • The war in Ukraine and extreme weather have motivated countries to create similar materials.
Key details
Sweden's crisis preparedness brochure, 'Om krisen eller kriget kommer,' has captured international attention as an effective and transparent tool for public readiness amid growing geopolitical and environmental challenges. Distributed to all Swedish households, the brochure reached 5.2 million homes in 2024, with the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) emphasizing its candid approach to discussing war and crisis management.
Uniquely, Sweden along with Norway stands out in Europe for dispatching such preparedness materials twice within recent years, highlighting a commitment to national crisis awareness. MSB's project leader Christina Andersson noted that many countries are surprised by Sweden's openness about war and the necessity of public preparedness, a stance that differs notably from other nations.
The ongoing war in Ukraine and escalating extreme weather events like floods and wildfires have spurred multiple countries to develop their own versions inspired by the Swedish brochure. However, Andersson underlined the importance of tailoring these adaptations to each country's specific historical and political context to ensure effectiveness.
The brochure's success was evident during the peak period following Russia's full invasion of Ukraine when daily requests for the material surged to 4,000 to 5,000. MSB has showcased the brochure at various security conferences, reinforcing its role as a model for effective communication with the entire population on crisis preparedness.