Air raid shelter shortages exposed as emergency drills reveal gaps in Lithuania’s preparedness

Recent air raid alerts have highlighted critical shortcomings in Lithuania’s emergency shelter system, with many facilities locked, undersized, or ill-equipped for crises, LRT reports.

Following a declared air threat, residents in Rudamina—including Kristinas and Vladas—admitted they had no clear instructions on where to take cover. One woman, confined to bed due to poor health, only heard warnings on the radio, while another dismissed her granddaughter’s urgent calls to seek shelter, saying, “It’s scary… but what can you do? I’m too old for this.” A local clinic worker, Tatjana, stayed in her office despite receiving alerts, assuming the situation was not serious.

The deficiencies extend to infrastructure. A Rudamina kindergarten lacks a shelter entirely, forcing staff to evacuate children to a nearby school—only to be turned away due to overcrowding. Vilniaus District Mayor Robertas Duchnevičius acknowledged the systemic issue, noting that high population density in areas like Avižieniai and Riešė leaves insufficient space. “Municipalities can’t single-handedly fund new shelters,” he said, urging exploration of cheaper, multi-use designs with public co-financing.

Even in regions unaffected by the recent alert, such as Pasvalys, schools reviewed emergency equipment after civil defense specialists conducted drills. However, officials admit logistical hurdles remain. “We can’t leave shelters unlocked—it’s a security risk,” said Linas Mainonis, Pasvalys’ emergency preparedness officer, suggesting electronic locks or coded key boxes as potential solutions. Alvydas Matuzevičius, director of Pumpėnai Gymnasium, stressed the need for more realistic training: “So far, we’ve only drilled for fires, so everyone runs outside. That won’t work for air threats.”

In Kaunas, city guides offered tours of Žaliakalnis’ collective shelters to raise awareness, though attendance was sparse. “It’s crucial to know where to go—both for yourself and to inform others,” said Bronė, one of the few participants. Meanwhile, a school director in Švenčionys reported adequate shelter space but noted parental panic, with some demanding to collect their children mid-alert.

The incidents underscore a broader challenge: while Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė has called for shelters to remain accessible round-the-clock, local authorities struggle with balancing security, funding, and public readiness.