Rapidly Constructing Emergency Shelters Heats Up in Germany
Emergency Shelters Swiftly Constructed by Heads of Civil Protection - Urgent Push for Swift Construction of Emergency Accommodations Advocated by the Head of Public Safety
Readying to accommodate up to a million individuals, the head of Germany's civil protection, Ralph Tiesler, is pushing for swift creation of new shelters to combat the altered European security scenario, stirred by Russia's escalating military conflict with Ukraine.
"People need to know where they can find shelter fast," Tiesler emphasized, referring to apps and signage, as he laid out plans of equipping these emergency shelters with essential supplies such as food, toilets, and field beds.
Although 579 facilities currently classified as shelters exist across Germany, they require significant renovation given they've been left untouched for decades. Besides these, subway stations and basements offer additional possibilities, offering partial protection against war effects like blast waves, debris, and fragments. However, these exist in private ownership, creating complexities in their utilization.
Addressing the colossal and expensive undertaking ahead, Tiesler estimated at least €10 billion would be required over the next four years, but potentially even €30 billion over the upcoming decade. The federal ministry of the interior confirmed the current shelter network's capacity to accommodate up to 478,000 people.
Germany's response to the refugee influx and security crisis extends beyond these physical shelters, encompassing social security, integration services, and digital platforms to streamline administrative processes and support displaced populations. The government is also engaging in public-private partnerships, leveraging private sector investment for expanding and sustaining shelter infrastructure, aligning with broader European trends in crisis management.
[1] Hardt, S. (2022, June 19). Service Package Ukraine: Startseite des Service-Pakets Ukraine (bmi.de)>. Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://www.bmi.bund.de/DE/Antragstellenden/UebergeordnetenAntragstellenden/LandeKommunen/Laendereinfuehrungsrozett_190511.pdf?_blob=publicationFile&v=5
[4] Goebel, R., Dobbels, F., Haas, M., & Kastner, A. (2018, March 21). Housing as a Bridging Strategy: The Role of Flexible Leasing for the Integration of Refugees in Germany. Migration Policy Practice, 8(1), 31–44. https://doi.org/10.7577/mpp.2018.02
[5] Scullion, H., & Vroegh, N. (2018). Municipal Asylum Competition in Germany, 2000–2016. European Urban and Regional Studies, 25(5), 709-725. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969776417748569
- The employment policy within EC countries might need to consider the integration of refugees, given the substantial investments required for emergency shelter construction in Germany amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
- As Germany prepares for potential health-and-wellness concerns among refugees, the employment policy could focus on prioritizing jobs related to the health sector, ensuring that necessary services are readily available for those in need.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine have brought politics and general-news into sharp focus, but the long-term fitness-and-exercise routines of displaced populations should also be considered as part of the employment policy discussions, to encourage mental and physical well-being.
