Germany unveils €10 billion civil defense plan with shelters, vehicles, and training
Germany's interior minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) announced a €10 billion civil defense package to be approved by cabinet on Wednesday, including 1,000 special vehicles and 110,000 field beds by 2029. The plan aims to address long-standing gaps in bunkers, sirens, and medical supplies. DRK president Hermann Gröhe called for an immediate "Kraftakt" (major effort), warning that neglecting civil protection while boosting the military is inconsistent.
Germany's interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), announced a €10 billion civil defense package that the cabinet is expected to approve on Wednesday. The plan, which runs through 2029, includes the procurement of 1,000 new special vehicles and 110,000 field beds, along with the creation of a new staff unit within the interior ministry to coordinate with the Bundeswehr during emergencies.
Under the initiative, all public shelters — including bunkers, secured cellars, and subway stations — will be cataloged and integrated into the federal government's digital warning system and the NINA warning app, allowing users to see the fastest route to a shelter from any location. The package also aims to establish nationwide uniform training standards for emergency responders, including for attacks involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials, and introduces civil defense lessons in schools.
Hermann Gröhe, president of the German Red Cross (DRK), called for an immediate "Kraftakt" (major effort) in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung. "If we don't prepare better for such crises, we are letting the population down in an emergency," Gröhe said. He warned against imbalanced priorities: "Announcing a catch-up sprint for the Bundeswehr while only playing catch-up in civil protection does not fit together." Gröhe noted that the security situation has worsened and that even attacks on critical infrastructure, such as the recent power outage in Berlin, could have serious consequences.
Marianne Suntrup, press spokeswoman for the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), recommended that households stock a 10-day supply of food, or at least three days if space is limited. "Three days should be achievable — even if you don't have much space," Suntrup said on the ARD morning program. She advised storing two liters of water per person per day for drinking and food preparation, excluding water for hygiene. Suntrup also recommended a crank or solar-powered radio to receive information during power or network outages.