Overview

• Poland's government has introduced legislation to improve the nation's self-defense capacity, including funding for first aid courses, better public warning systems, and more emergency shelters.
• The initiative is prompted by the conflict in neighboring Ukraine, where Russia has recently captured territory.
• The legislation, expected to be presented to Parliament in May, seeks to prepare Poland for potential extreme situations, including armed conflict.
• The law will enable organized self-defense and first aid courses for Poles, including school children, and aims to increase the quality and number of emergency shelters.
• Funding for these initiatives will come from the central government and the European Union funds recently unfrozen for Poland.