Mar 17 • 17:03 UTC 🇵🇱 Poland Rzeczpospolita

Smaller municipalities cannot afford to invest in civil protection

Smaller municipalities in Poland are struggling to fund necessary investments for civil protection, highlighting a gap in preparedness for crises and emergencies.

The article discusses the significant challenges faced by smaller municipalities in Poland regarding their ability to finance civil protection measures. Local government units, particularly in rural areas, are noted to be under-prepared for emergencies ranging from natural disasters to security threats. It emphasizes that the financial resources allocated for civil protection tasks are insufficient to meet the actual needs, creating an urgent call for increased funding from the government.

Stanisław Jastrzębski, the mayor of Długosiodło, expresses the frustration of many in similar positions by stating that the current financial support from POLiOC (the state fund for civil protection investments) does not meet their expectations. He underscores a demand for 100% financing, as these smaller, rural municipalities often lack the resources to create their own civil defense infrastructure. With estimated costs for necessary investments reaching tens of millions of zlotys, the disparity between needs and available funding is stark.

The readiness of these municipalities to deal with diverse crises is critically examined, revealing that many are still inadequately equipped for urgent situations. The report sheds light on the need for comprehensive planning and resource allocation at higher levels of government to bolster the resilience of these communities against potential disasters and threats, reinforcing the argument that an investment in civil protection is essential for the safety of Polish citizens.

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