Latvian municipalities learn crisis readiness from Ukraine

Representatives of almost all Latvian municipalities have received practical advice from Ukrainian counterparts on preparing for crises at an international forum in Ulbroka, LSM reported. Recommendations included stocking food for schools and kindergartens, maintaining fuel reserves for state institutions and private cars, and clearly assigning responsibilities to individuals during a crisis.

Ukrainian municipal leaders, who gained their experience during more than four years of war, said preparations should begin before an emergency occurs.

Oleksandr Zarubin, chairman of the Boyarka city council, said people should rely on official information from state and local authorities while communications remain available. He also advised keeping fuel in cars so they could leave immediately if necessary, and preparing supplies of food and medicine for at least the first 72 hours.

“After two hours, there will be neither medicine nor food,” Zarubin said.

However, reserves of food and medicine alone are not enough, according to Ukraine’s experience. Trust between people and a willingness to act together are equally important in a crisis.

Ukrainian war veteran Andrij Ratushnyi urged people to agree in advance on how they would respond and to begin preparing together. He said unity would help communities cope if a crisis occurred.

The Ukrainian participants also encouraged Latvian municipalities to design security infrastructure so that it would serve residents not only during crises but in everyday life as well.