In Helsinki, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Finland Alexander Stubb visited Merihaka, the city’s largest civil protection shelter, built in 2003.
The Ukrainian President familiarized himself with Finland’s legislative framework governing the construction and operation of civil protection shelters.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy was informed that shelters are currently used as parking facilities, sports facilities, restaurants, and shops. In case of emergency, these spaces must be cleared and prepared for their intended purpose within 72 hours.
For example, the Merihaka shelter is currently used as a parking and sports facility. However, in the event of a conflict or emergency, it can be quickly turned into a bomb shelter capable of accommodating 6,000 people.
The construction of mandatory shelters in new buildings is a standard requirement in Finland. There are more than 50,000 such shelters across the country, capable of protecting over 5 million people if needed.
Additionally, in the presence of both Presidents, Herman Smetanin, Ukraine’s Minister of Strategic Industries, and Mari Rantanen, Finland’s Minister of the Interior, signed a Joint Letter of Intent, marking the launch of a Civil Protection Shelter Coalition.
