The Swedish government started sending out leaflets to more than 4.7 million households on how to prepare for a variety of crises, including the outbreak of war, and how to recognize “hostile propaganda.”
The 20-page pamphlet, titled “If Crisis or War Comes” was compiled by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and instructs people how to “cope with a situation in which society’s normal services are not working as they usually do.”
The pamphlet provides information on everything from identifying propaganda to finding a bomb shelter or clean water, and how to prepare for cyber and terror attacks.
Some outtakes from the pamphlet which being distributed to all 4.8 million homes I'm #Sweden 🇸🇪 by the government.
It includes info about Swedish armed forces as well as instructions in the case of air raids, a terror attack, and how to recognize "hostile propaganda" pic.twitter.com/7Tprelv8r9
— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) May 21, 2018
The pamphlet also includes a variety of products that are helpful in the event that one of these situations occurs. The items include non-perishable food, warm clothing and sleeping bags
“Although Sweden is safer than many other countries, there are still threats to our security and independence,” the pamphlet says. “If you are prepared, you are contributing to improving the ability of the country to cope with a major strain.”
The pamphlet is an updated version that was first created during World War II and later released in the 1980s.
Its publication comes as the debate on security of the country has increased following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and their continued violations of Swedish airspace and territorial waters.
Sweden this year reintroduced conscription and has stationed troops on the Baltic island of Gotland. The country has also increased military spending.
Even though Sweden has not been at war with another country for 200 years, the pamphlet states: “We will never give up. All information to the effect that resistance is to cease is false.”
