Do you know where the nearest bomb shelter is near your home? If not — you are not alone. A recent survey showed that although more than half of Slovakia's residents consider war on their territory possible, most do not know where to find shelter in case of danger.
This situation points to a long-standing problem in the country's civil defense system, which has not been a priority for the government for years. Due to increasing geopolitical tension, the issue of security and crisis readiness has become relevant again.
Unfavorable numbers: what the survey showed
The research within the initiative “Ako sa máte, Slovensko?” (How are you, Slovakia?) revealed that people are worried. More than 53% of respondents admit that Slovakia could become a war zone. At the same time, only 16% of those surveyed know exactly where the nearest shelter is located.
Another 41% have only a rough idea, and 43% have no such information at all. This indicates a low level of awareness and practical preparation of citizens for emergencies.
What is wrong with Slovak shelters
Slovakia's civil defense system provides for two main types of shelters:
- Durable shelters (odolné úkryty) — these are capital structures specially built to protect the population.
- Simple temporary shelters (jednoduché úkryty dočasného charakteru) — these are adapted basement premises, mostly in residential buildings and institutions.
The problem is both in the quantity and condition of these facilities. According to official data, Slovakia has about 1,530 durable shelters, but they can accommodate only about 4% of the population. Most of them are in poor condition because they have not received funding for decades. Many of them are now privately owned, which complicates their use for their intended purpose.
For comparison, in Finland, a country with a population similar to Slovakia, shelters can protect over 4.4 million people.
Is there an action plan: what the authorities are doing
The Ministry of the Interior of Slovakia, recognizing the problem, announced a reform of the crisis management and civil defense system. One of the priorities is a large-scale inventory and modernization of existing shelters.
They plan to create a new specialized unit that will monitor threats and plan actions in case of various crises — from fires to military conflicts. Also, as part of the reform, they plan to create an interactive map of shelters so citizens can quickly find the nearest safe refuge. Funding for these measures is planned to be attracted from EU funds.
How to find out where the nearest shelter is
While the centralized system is being updated, local authorities are responsible for informing the population. Here are some steps you can take right now:
1️⃣ Contact your local government. Information about the location of shelters can be obtained at your municipal or city office (obecný alebo mestský úrad). They keep records of such facilities in their territory. 2️⃣ Look for special signs. Entrances to civil defense shelters are marked with a special sign: an orange square with a blue triangle inside. 3️⃣ Remember about temporary shelters. In case of an emergency declaration, basement premises of apartment buildings (paneláky) are automatically considered simple shelters for their residents.
Although the situation with shelters in Slovakia is far from ideal, your awareness and a few simple actions can increase your personal safety.
