The war in Ukraine is leading European countries to serious questioning. This goes of course for their energy supply and their dependence on Russia as well as for their military strategy. But some, like Germany, are also wondering about strengthening the protection of populations in the event of conflict or disaster.
From our correspondent in Berlin, Pascal Thibault
Since the end of the cold war, shelters in the event of conflict or disaster, stocks to face crises belonged more and more to the past. Surrounded by friendly countries in a world where diplomacy and dialogue prevailed, Germany had reduced these measures.
The Minister of the Interior now speaks against the background of the war in Ukraine of ” turning “. Nancy Faeser wants to save and reinforce if necessary the 600 existing public shelters. Alongside the resources of the army, civil protection must obtain more resources. Underground car parks, metro stations and places in the basement must, if necessary, be fitted out to increase the number of shelters for the population. Measures that apply to a possible armed conflict but also in the event of a natural disaster.
In the tweet below, the Minister of the Interior clarifies: We focus on good warning systems: new sirens and mobile phone alerts. We have allocated 88 million euros to the Länder for this purpose. »
Die Zeitenwende durch den #Ukraine-Krieg erfordert, dass wir den Schutz vor militärischen Bedrohungen erheblich stärken müssen. Unser Fokus liegt auf guten Warnsystemen: neuen Sirenen und Cell Broadcast. Wir haben den Ländern dafür 88 Millionen Euro bereitgestellt. @WELTAMSONNTAG
—Nancy Faeser (@NancyFaeser) April 9, 2022
Last summer, the population was poorly warned of the danger of major flooding. Warning sirens dismantled in the past must make their comeback as applications on mobile phones. Stocks of food but also of medical equipment, masks or medicines must be reinforced. Civil protection against cyberattacks must also be increased.
► To listen also: Germany: in Berlin, the hosts of Ukrainian refugees are getting organized