Ukraine receives over €22 million for bomb shelters thanks to financial contributions to the Shelter Coalition
Partner countries have announced new financial contributions to the Shelter Coalition, totaling more than €22 million. The funds will be used to create safe conditions for the educational process during Russian attacks. This was announced by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
The largest contribution — €11 million — was made by Finland, which leads the coalition and has over 80 years of experience in building bomb shelter systems. Sweden has allocated €7 million, Lithuania and Belgium – €2 million each, Ireland – €0.5 million. Switzerland has also expressed its readiness to support the initiative.
Thanks to state funding and international assistance, more than 42 underground schools have already been built in Ukraine in regions directly affected by the fighting.
Svyridenko emphasized:
“I see how important it is to provide shelter for the uninterrupted continuation of normal life, socialization and education of children, and access to services even in conditions of Russian shelling. The enemy is shelling all regions of our country, so we continue to build multifunctional spaces in shelters throughout Ukraine..
She also noted that for the first time in the draft State Budget for next year, UAH 1 billion was allocated for the construction of shelters in kindergartens, and the government hopes to approve these expenditures next week.
On November 27, the Ukrainian government, together with the countries and institutions of the Team Europe initiative, announced the creation of the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition, which should accelerate the construction of a modern and systematic network of protective structures across the country.
According to the Ministry of Development, the Shelter Coalition is a multilateral initiative that involves the modernization of the Ukrainian civil protection system. It is based on the Strategy for the Development of the Civil Infrastructure Fund until 2034, developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Emergency Service.
The initiative is focused on the transition from scattered and temporary shelters to a full-fledged infrastructure that will cover both frontline communities and regions regularly under fire. The coalition includes Finland (co-chair), the European Union, Lithuania, Belgium, Ireland, Sweden, as well as the European Investment Bank and the World Bank.
