Overview
- Germany currently has 579 public shelters, mostly from World War II and the Cold War, which can accommodate 480,000 people out of a population of 84 million.
- The government is creating a digital directory of shelters, including underground train stations, car parks, and private properties, accessible via a planned phone app.
- Citizens are being encouraged to retrofit basements and garages as private shelters, while public buildings like metro stations and parking garages are being assessed for conversion.
- A national working group is developing a comprehensive civil protection plan, but officials caution that implementation will take significant time and resources.
- The renewed focus on civilian defense follows warnings of potential Russian threats to NATO members and increased concerns about espionage and sabotage activities.