Lithuania allocates €6 million to municipalities for emergency evacuation preparations

The Lithuanian Interior Ministry has distributed €6 million to 56 municipalities to strengthen their capacity for emergency evacuations, public broadcaster LRT reports.

Funded through the State Defence Fund, the initiative aims to prepare for the temporary accommodation of up to 50,000 evacuees, equip over 1,000 evacuation personnel, and train more than 200 volunteers for evacuation operations.

Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovičius emphasised that public safety and municipal preparedness for crises remain top priorities. “This time, we set even more ambitious goals,” he said, noting that funding was extended beyond collective shelter supplies to include evacuation point infrastructure and support for non-governmental organisations.

Municipalities could apply for up to €120,000 each, with 56 of Lithuania’s 60 municipalities submitting requests—excluding Trakai, Vilnius District, Kalvarija, and Birštonas. This marks the second round of such funding; last year, €4.5 million was allocated to 20 municipalities for shelter equipment.

Eligible expenses include foldable beds, sleeping bags, water storage tanks, first-aid kits, hygiene supplies, and generators for shelters. To date, municipalities have used €2.3 million from previous allocations, enabling shelters to accommodate around 20,000 evacuees.