The German government intends to allocate 10 billion euros ($12 billion) to civil protection and disaster management by 2029, as stated by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt in an interview with Bild newspaper.
This initiative, framed as an upgrade to Germany’s civil protection capabilities, is a response to heightened geopolitical tensions, extremism, and hybrid threats, which could encompass attacks on critical infrastructure like the electricity grid and disinformation operations.
The proposed “Civil Protection Pact” outlines measures such as implementing sirens for public alerts, introducing digital warning systems for mobile phones, constructing new shelters, and procuring around 1,500 vehicles for various emergency services including fire protection, ambulance services, mobile command centers, and heavy equipment.
The plans also reportedly include disaster preparedness drills involving the military, rescue services, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, and aid organizations. This strategic enhancement follows the German government’s efforts since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine to improve its public shelter system, which currently comprises 579 shelters capable of housing approximately 480,000 individuals, many of which have been inactive since the Cold War era.
With information from Reuters
