Most Italians know about the EU survival kit, but half see it as an “unnecessary alarm”

Brussels – A little more than a month after the EU Commission presented its Strategy for Preparedness, aimed at preventing and countering crises that can affect the Union — from natural disasters to epidemics and conflicts — the initiative’s communication campaign may, at least in Italy, have raised more perplexity than actual awareness of the issue.

In its latest (May 6) report, SWG recorded the opinions of Italians about the video released by the European Union showing the contents of the survival kit that citizens should use in the first 72 hours after a crisis erupts. Media coverage has been widespread, with six out of 10 Italians claiming to have heard of it. Yet, the message did not appear clear: 35 percent of respondents admitted that they didn’t understand it.

What would Italians bring if they had to pack their own kit? According to the survey, they would also have flashlights, knives, and smartphones, as well as essentials. One out of three would also bring a radio and a compass, while two out of five would also add cash since, in an emergency, it could be much more helpful than payment cards. According to the report, the content covered and the tone used in the video created “a lot of alarmism because it was deemed unsuitable to truly raise awareness on issues that are so current and worrisome.” Over half of respondents described the EU communication campaign as “a way to alarm the population unnecessarily.” At the same time, only 14 percent of Italians considered it “a different way of providing information.”