The Latvian government plans to allocate approximately 22.2 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the establishment of three-category shelters in around 570 locations, Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis (New Unity) informed journalists on Tuesday.
As previously reported, in mid-March, the Saeima supported amendments to the Civil Protection and Disaster Management Law in the first reading. These amendments would introduce mandatory construction of shelters in certain building types, as well as regulations for the creation, adaptation, and use of shelters in case of war or disaster.
Currently, there is no legislation in force in Latvia regulating the construction or use of shelters for such situations.
The draft law prepared by the Ministry of Interior divides shelters into three categories.
First-category shelters are intended to protect against explosion shockwaves, chemical warfare agents, ionizing radiation and radioactive dust, and shrapnel. These shelters must be equipped with appropriate filters, systems to maintain air overpressure, and equipment that can ensure breathable air in case there is no external air supply.
Second-category shelters are intended to protect against explosion shockwaves, ionizing radiation, and shrapnel. Compared to first-category shelters, second-category shelters would be built with thinner walls and ceilings, provide protection against lower overpressure levels, and would not be equipped with filters against chemical or toxic substances, nor systems to maintain breathable air without external supply.
Third-category shelters are created by adapting existing buildings or their parts and are intended to reduce the impact of explosion shockwaves and shrapnel.
The draft law provides that first-category shelters would be built in new buildings intended to host category A and B critical infrastructure objects where personnel are continuously present.
Second-category shelters would be built in new multi-story residential buildings with more than five floors, general education institutions, vocational schools, universities, hospitals, and other public buildings with a total area of at least 2 500 square meters.
Third-category shelters would be created by adapting building spaces located in basements or underground levels.