Around 570 shelters are to be adapted in Latvia with EU funds, Minister of the Interior Rihards Kozlovskis (New Unity) told Latvian Radio on 15 April. More than €22.2 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is earmarked for this purpose. These shelters would provide enough space for almost 400,000 people.
In order to provide shelters for as many people as possible with European funding, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) has categorised shelters according to several criteria, including the population density of the locality and the location of the shelter in the municipality.
In total, the first phase involves the adaptation of around 570 category 3 shelters. These are shelters created by adapting existing structures or parts thereof and designed to reduce the impact of shock waves and debris. 570 shelters would provide enough space for almost 400,000 inhabitants.
The funding will be earmarked for those shelters that fully or partially meet the requirements. The VUGD guidelines set out a total of 11 technical requirements and support will be given to those sites that have already been surveyed. Also eligible shelters need improvements such as renewed flooring, new doors and other works to improve the quality and safety of the shelter
An important selection criterion will be the number of people living around the shelter – the denser the population, the greater the need for adaptation. These shelters will not be tied to building regulations, which means they will be easier to adapt.
According to the Ministry of the Interior’s estimates, municipalities will be able to start submitting projects and concluding contracts for funding in the autumn. On average, a shelter could cost around €40,000, but this does not mean that each location will have to spend exactly that – some will need more, others less.
This is just the first phase of the shelter adaptation project. To take it further and attract additional funding, negotiations are already underway with donors from the European Economic Area and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism for possible support from 2027 onwards.
The Ministry of the Interior has prepared a draft Cabinet Order with a list of facilities that will be eligible for ERDF funding for the installation of Category 3 shelters. This draft is expected to be submitted to the Legislation Portal for approval on 15 April.
The VUGD has so far inspected 4,710 basements of state and municipal buildings. Of these, 393 were found to be adequate and 1,258 partially adequate for shelter needs. 1,596 shelters are not compliant. Thus, 27.3% of the population, or 510,445 inhabitants of the country, can currently be sheltered in case of danger.
The SFRS has also handed over to the municipalities the shelter signs that need to be placed on buildings to mark the location of shelters. According to the information gathered by the VUGD, more than 986 shelter signs have already been installed on the buildings of municipalities and public institutions. Information on the location of shelters in its administrative territory will be maintained by the municipalities.
At the moment, just over 122,700 people have downloaded the VUGD mobile app “112 Latvija”. A new feature will be available in early May – the possibility to find out where the nearest shelter is.
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