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Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and is published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support.

Poland’s interior ministry has launched a mobile application and website that allows people to find their nearest shelter in times of war or other emergencies.

The service, called “Where to hide” (Gdzie się ukryć) will be officially unveiled later on Monday but is already available online and as an app that can be downloaded.

Once given access to a user’s location, the system shows a map of the area with places that have been designated as shelters. It can also show the quickest route to reach them.

When tested by this author, the app did not provide any details beyond the shelter’s location and whether it was accessible at all times or not (in the latter case, it was not made clear when and how it was accessible).

No information was provided on what kind of shelter was at that location nor its capacity. Many of the locations listed were at private addresses and appeared to be underground car parks, for example in apartment blocks.

Although there is a search box meant to allow a user to check available shelters near a specific address, that function did not work on either the website or app.

Tech news service GeekWeek notes, however, that the app is still in development and its functionality will likely improve and expand over time.

 

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 increased the focus on military and civil readiness for war in Poland, concerns were raised about the lack of shelters. In June 2022, the interior ministry revealed that the country only has enough space in shelters for around 1.3 million people, just over 3% of the population.

However, a survey ordered by the government later that year found Poland can accommodate nearly 50 million in publicly available “hiding places” and “places of temporary shelter”, such as metro stations and tunnels.

At that time, the fire service launched a website and app of its own, which still functions, allowing users to find their nearest shelter. The locations contained there appear to be the same as on the new app, though more information, such as the capacity of shelters, is provided.

One year ago, a new law on civil defence and protection of the population was introduced, requiring mandatory training for officials and new rules for managing protective infrastructure such as shelters. The measures were inspired by the civil protection strategies of Nordic countries, particularly Sweden and Finland.

Speaking earlier this month, interior minister Marcin Kierwiński said that 5 billion zloty (€1.19 billion) was being spent in 2025 alone on population protection and civil defence.

He added that a further audit of shelters was also being conducted, with the aim of assessing where investment is needed. “The hard work will then follow to restore these places to a condition where the entire Polish population can feel safe,” said Kierwiński, quoted by the Polish Press Agency (PAP).


Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support.



Daniel Tilles is editor-in-chief of Notes from Poland. He has written on Polish affairs for a wide range of publications, including Foreign Policy, POLITICO Europe, EUobserver and Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.