Germany Develops Plan to Revitalize Bunkers for Civil Protection

The Federal Office for Civil Protection is assessing the feasibility of repurposing existing structures as shelters in response to heightened global threats.

• Germany's Federal Office for Civil Protection (BBK) is creating a national plan to repurpose existing buildings, such as subway stations and parking garages, into protective shelters.
• The initiative responds to increased international security concerns and builds on a 2023 civil defense strategy developed by the federal government.
• Currently, Germany has 579 public shelters with limited usability, and restoring them to full functionality will require significant investment and time.
• A proposed mobile app could help citizens locate the nearest shelter, though this idea is still under review and not yet confirmed.
• The BBK is not planning to construct new bunkers, focusing instead on faster, cost-effective measures to improve civilian protection.

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