The state of shelters in Ukraine: results of the Ombudsman's inspections
The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, has reported the results of a large-scale inspection of protective structures across the country. According to him, the situation regarding the safety of citizens during air raids remains difficult, as the majority of the inspected facilities have serious deficiencies.
During the inspections, specialists discovered that many shelters are in an inadequate state. The main problems include a lack of free access to the premises, unsatisfactory sanitary conditions, and the absence of necessary equipment for people to stay for extended periods. In some cases, shelters were locked even when an air raid alert had been announced.
The Ombudsman emphasized that the safety of the civilian population is a priority, and therefore such violations are unacceptable. Responsible authorities have received recommendations regarding the immediate rectification of the identified shortcomings. Local authorities must ensure 24/7 access to all protective structures so that every citizen can find a safe place during times of danger.
Work on inspecting shelters is currently ongoing. State institutions plan to strengthen control over the use of budget funds allocated for the repair and outfitting of shelters. Citizens are advised to check the map of the nearest shelters in their districts in advance and to report cases where access to them is restricted.