What you can do
Get involved
Volunteers are an important part of Sweden's emergency preparedness. Consider what you can contribute now or in future crises. There are many ways to get involved. Here are some examples:
- Get involved in one of Sweden's 18 voluntary defence organisations (in Swedish) or contact your local aid organisation to learn what help is needed.
- Discuss and practice safety and preparedness issues with your housing association, sports club or neighbours. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has produced films and training materials for individuals and associations (in Swedish).
- Donate to a trusted relief organisation on the ground in Ukraine.
Be critical of sources and do not spread rumours
During crises and serious events, it is particularly important to be critical of sources. At present, there is an increased risk of disinformation and rumour-spreading aimed at influencing Sweden. You can help reduce this risk by:
- Seeking information from credible sources.
- Noticing false information. Who is giving out the information and who benefits from its dissemination?
- Not spreading false information or rumours.
Learn more about how to be source critical.
Protect your data against cyber attacks
For a cyber-attack to succeed, the attacker must find a vulnerability. By protecting your own data, you also contribute to society's resilience against cyber-attacks.
- Install security updates on your phone, computer or other internet-connected devices as soon as possible.
- Be careful when clicking on links or attachments or when downloading programs received via email, text message or various websites. Be extra vigilant if you don't recognise the sender.
- Use strong passwords. Passwords should be long and contain a variety of lower- and upper-case letters, numbers and special characters.
Review your home preparedness
It is always important to be prepared for potential crises. Be prepared to provide water, food and heating for yourself and your family for at least one week.
Here you will find home preparedness tips, advice and checklists.
Neighbours can be important
Neighbours can be good resources if the unexpected would happen.
Discuss how you can cope with a situation without access to electricity, water and heating. Practise cooking together on a barbecue in the courtyard or similar.
Consider who would need extra help in a crisis and who can provide help.
Mental health care
It is normal to feel worried about what is happening in Ukraine. But there are ways to manage stress and fear.
- Try to live your life as usual and remember that there is no immediate threat to Sweden.
- Stay busy with things that make you feel well.
- Try limiting your news consumption if news reports leave you feeling more anxious or unwell.
- Talk to someone you trust about your feelings and concerns. If you'd rather talk to a professional, several organisations offer support by phone, chat or email.
- Support others who feel unwell. Learn more about how to care for others in times of crisis.
Learn first aid
With more individuals ready and able to help, society can better endure accidents, crises and even attacks. One way is to learn more about administering emergency first aid and how to help someone who is seriously injured.
On this page we have gathered information and links about responding to cardiac arrest, bleeding and other injuries.