Latvia’s public shelters would accommodate only 500,000 people

Basements in state and municipal buildings designated as shelters could accommodate only about 500,000 people, LSM reported. Although Latvia adopted legislation regulating shelters last year, the figures on paper do not necessarily mean the facilities are ready for use.

The issue is no longer theoretical in Latvia’s border region, where residents need to know how quickly they could reach a safe place. In Rēzekne, shelter preparations are progressing slowly, and most of the city’s residents would have to be evacuated in the event of a military conflict.

Authorities plan to improve about 850 shelters across Latvia. Only three municipalities currently support the adaptation of private premises for use as shelters. The recently built Children’s Hospital building also does not have a ready shelter, although one is planned in another new building.

In Rēzekne, local activist, writer and publicist Ligija Puriņaša demonstrated how long it takes to reach the nearest shelter from the city centre. The route to the basement of the Joriks Theatre is listed as 350 metres away in the 112 Latvia app, although the recommended safe distance is 300 metres.

The most direct route crosses a large intersection without traffic lights and requires pedestrians to cross four lanes. Puriņaša reached the shelter in one minute and 42 seconds, but said the journey would take about two minutes only by violating traffic rules. Additional time would also be needed to find the entrance.

The shelter’s basement doors were open. Wooden doors and other items were stacked along the walls, while furniture stood in the middle of the room. Puriņaša said she had begun paying closer attention to shelters and personal safety after drone incidents.

LSM’s report noted that Latvia could learn much from Ukraine, where the war has made trips to shelters part of everyday life for many civilians.