Poland implements new mass evacuation procedures for war

The Polish government has issued a new regulation detailing procedures for the mass evacuation of the population in the event of war or other serious threats. This revision of existing civil defense and population protection laws was prompted by experiences from the war in Ukraine and recent incidents involving missile strikes and airspace violations.

The new regulations significantly increase the responsibilities of local governments. Mayors, mayors, and city presidents are tasked with designating crisis areas, estimating relocation needs, identifying evacuation routes, marking assembly points, and securing vehicle fleets. Local authorities must also establish registration and information points.

At higher administrative levels, county starostas will coordinate actions, while voivodes are responsible for organizing evacuations at the provincial scale in cooperation with the military and the Government Security Centre. The plan emphasizes a robust information policy to ensure citizens receive immediate instructions regarding evacuation points and transport.

The regulations also account for self-evacuation, where individuals using private transport must be coordinated to ensure they do not block routes reserved for the military, emergency services, and public transport. Priority for organized evacuation is given to vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and hospital patients.