Germany to digitize information on civilian shelters

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has announced plans to create a digital registry of all available civilian shelters across the country. Rather than constructing new bunkers, the government intends to map existing locations that can serve protective functions, such as underground parking garages and tunnels.

This structured database will be developed in cooperation with federal states to provide the public with digital access to shelter locations. The goal is to allow citizens to quickly identify the nearest available shelter during an emergency. The information is intended to be integrated into the Nina warning app.

The federal government will provide the necessary funding for the digitalization and linking of this data. While not every location will be permanently equipped like a traditional bunker, the plan includes maintaining precautionary supplies and capacities, such as beds and other essential equipment, to facilitate longer stays if necessary.