News item | 06-12-2024 | 4:00 PM
The international security situation has deteriorated rapidly in recent years. We already see that the Netherlands is the target of hybrid attacks, such as cyber operations, espionage and sabotage. Russian aggression, which extends beyond Ukraine, makes something that was unthinkable for a long time possible: that NATO, and thus our country, becomes directly involved in a large-scale armed conflict. That conflict does not have to take place in the Netherlands, but if we as a country are involved or it takes place in the vicinity of the Netherlands, then we are also part of it. So we must be prepared for uncertain times. Social resilience and military preparedness not only ensure effective defense, but also deter Russia and other adversaries.
That is why the government has identified what is needed to be resilient to military or hybrid threats. Because although there is already a solid basis for strengthening resilience, it is not enough. The threat demands more. A resilient society also helps not only during a conflict, but also in combating other crises, such as large-scale floods, a pandemic or long-term failure of vital processes. An important first step has been taken in a letter that the cabinet sent to the House of Representatives by providing insight into what additional measures are needed, or in other words the resilience task.
A resilient society and ready armed forces
The resilience task consists of increasing both social resilience and military preparedness.
In concrete terms, social resilience requires:
- Protecting vital and other important processes in society;
- A ready and resilient society;
- Maintaining Dutch democracy, the rule of law and government;
- A resilient economy.
Military preparedness also revolves around:
- Protecting and defending our own and allied territory;
- Ensuring civilian support to the armed forces in the performance of their military tasks.
All departments involved
The coordination of the government-wide efforts and society-wide approach to increase resilience lies with the Minister of Justice and Security, the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security and the Minister of Defense. But all departments are involved based on their own policy responsibility. For example, in the field of healthcare, transport and logistics, crisis management, food, energy, (telecommunications) communications, migration, the economy, the labor market or the democratic legal order.
Minister Brekelmans of Defense: ‘We are no longer at war in the Netherlands, but we are no longer in peace either. In this gray zone, we must defend ourselves against hybrid attacks and increase our military preparedness. We do this by investing more in our armed forces, but Defense cannot do it alone. In times of peace the question is what Defense can do for society, but now we also ask what society can do for Defense. We create a safe Netherlands together. During a war or crisis, it is extremely important that the economy continues to run and that the government remains afloat. This way, Defense can focus on fighting the fight if necessary. But then companies and governments must be consciously prepared for disruptive scenarios. If we show our resilience and preparedness, it will deter Russia and China.’
Minister Van Weel of Justice and Security: ‘We must now start a sprint so that we as a society can absorb any shocks that may come. That requires something from everyone: government, organizations, businesses and residents. Companies and citizens can also take precautions. This includes strengthening cybersecurity, backup plans for energy networks, but also purchasing an emergency package. In this way we can prevent social disruption, unrest and (economic) damage as much as possible. In addition, it is crucial to communicate about what people can do themselves so that we keep our society resilient. State actors may also attempt to undermine our rule of law or harm the Netherlands by, for example, espionage, sabotage or spreading disinformation. We must be resilient to that. Finally, it is crucial to maintain our earning capacity in times of scarcity, disruption and damage. Together we must become resilient to the threat that comes our way.’
State Secretary Tuinman of Defense: ‘Due to the international security situation, resilience and preparedness must be a priority again. That is why we at Defense are working hard to strengthen military preparedness and our combat power. For this we need more people, more resources and more space. We have to deliver. By working together we can realize this ambition and protect what we hold dear.
Everyone participates
Security is one of the core tasks of the government. The government is committed to protecting all groups in society. However, there is no such thing as one hundred percent safety. It is important that citizens also play a role in this and make themselves resilient.
A solid, resilient society can withstand shocks – regardless of what comes our way. It is a society in which government, public and private partners, social organizations, knowledge institutions and residents are as prepared as possible for social disruption and have the ability to withstand, absorb and recover from it. The letter sent to the House of Representatives is the starting point for close cooperation and dialogue with society in order to shape the approach for society as a whole.
NCTV public survey: Also more concerns among residents
The autumn measurement of the NCTV risk and crisis barometer published today shows that the residents of the Netherlands are also increasingly concerned about geopolitical and military threats and their consequences in the Netherlands. More than four in ten (42%) indicate that they are concerned about this. In addition, there has been a clear increase in the percentage concerned about stopping vital processes, a possible consequence of a military or hybrid threat. Residents also estimate the probability of the event to be much higher than before the start of the war in Ukraine. Until the spring of 2021, this percentage was around 22%. In 2024 this will have increased to approximately 60%. At the same time, three-quarters (75%) of Dutch residents indicate that they have not yet taken any action to be better prepared for the consequences of risks and threats.
Follow-up
In the coming months, the resilience task will be concretized by all departments in collaboration with local authorities and social parties. The central question here is: how can everyone contribute to realizing the resilience challenge that we as the Netherlands face? Risk communication from the government about threats, what the government is doing about them, and about the possible impact on our way of life, contribute to this. An additional letter to the House of Representatives will follow in 2025 containing the government’s first concrete policy efforts to increase resilience. A national campaign will also start in 2025 to make Dutch people aware of the importance of resilience and what they can do themselves to be prepared for crises and threats in their own environment.
More information
Information about contemporary threats is bundled in the web file ‘Threat in the Netherlands’ on the government’s website. On the website ‘Think ahead‘ concrete action perspectives are offered to better prepare you for risks and threats. This includes a step-by-step plan for taking concrete action, such as putting together an emergency package.