Business admits most do not know what to do in a crisis

Most businesses and municipalities in Lithuania still do not know how to act in a crisis, despite preparedness plans being in place, LRT reports following exercises for the country’s universal defence model.

Experts say Lithuania lacks a common approach and national coordination. Tomas Godliauskas, head of the Universal Defence Association, said preparedness was insufficient at both municipal and business levels.

“It is good that people are thinking about this. However, it is not so good that few people actually know what they should do,” said Greg Melcher, head of the New Generation Warfare Center.

Experts said plans existed, but those expected to implement them often did not know what to do. Godliauskas said there were still many unknowns beyond the state and its institutions, particularly regarding preparedness in critical sectors.

He said municipalities also lacked a clear view of their responsibilities. They are expected to ensure that the state continues to function during wartime and that residents receive essential services.

Audrius Klišonis, president of the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania, acknowledged the gap. “There is still a little more uncertainty than knowledge in this case,” he said.

Klišonis said working groups had been formed and discussions were taking place, but decisions by the Government and Parliament were also needed. He said a number of laws and regulations remained uncoordinated.

Melcher said the Government, businesses, municipalities, civil society and the armed forces should prepare together rather than separately, creating an integrated national system.

Businesses also say they lack such a system. Only a small proportion have crisis plans or know what assistance the state would need from them.

Vidmantas Janulevičius, president of the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, said around 90 percent of medium-sized and larger companies did not know the specific steps they should take in a crisis.

Experts said universal defence required more than weapons, despite record defence funding of almost five billion euros. Godliauskas said other critical infrastructure and vital sectors, including transport, healthcare and energy, were insufficiently funded, creating gaps in the continuity of state operations.

Experts also said civilians needed a better understanding of how the military operates. Godliauskas said universal conscription could help by providing citizens with both short-term and long-term preparation.

The final universal defence model is expected to be presented by the end of the year. Its goal is for two-thirds of residents to know what to do if war begins.