Apps and booklets are offering advice on how to build a bunker, stockpile food and live without electricity in case the worst happens

Germany is developing an app to help people locate the nearest bunker in the event of attack. Sweden is distributing a 32-page pamphlet titled If Crisis or War Comes. Half a million Finns have already downloaded an emergency preparedness guide.

If the prospect of a broader conflict in Europe seems remote for many, some countries at least are taking it seriously – and, in the term used by Germany’s defence minister, Boris Pistorius, taking steps to get populations kriegsfähig: war-capable.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has dramatically raised security tensions across the Baltic region, prompting Finland and Sweden to abandon decades of nonalignment and join Nato. Military capability, however, is not all: citizens have to be braced too.

  • gigachad@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    23·
    20 days ago

    Germany is developing an app to help people locate the nearest bunker in the event of attack.

    Why would you develop an app for bunkers that do not exist? Peak German

    • leisesprecher@feddit.orgEnglish
      43·
      20 days ago

      Because it’s not about bunkers in the traditional sense, but shelters. Subway stations, parking garages, etc. can be used as shelters, but are not bunkers.

      Nobody prepares for a thermonuclear war, but having bombs rain on our cities is unfortunately not impossible.

    • fairchild@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      8·
      19 days ago

      Had the same thoughts on this. Other countries in Europe take this responsibility a bit more serious, for instance Finland.

      Also why an App? I’m sure checking my phone is very far down in my priorities list in such a case. I prefer Swedens approach, better to have info material printed out and ready with a bunch of other important documents.

      • gigachad@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        10·
        19 days ago

        Because the German federal administration thinks they can simultaneously address the issue of missing digitalization with an app

        • fairchild@sopuli.xyzEnglish
          21·
          19 days ago

          Too true. In case of war, this is pretty much counter-intuitive.

          Next they implement a paid version, where the more privileged people will get notified of the even better shelters.

          If there’s one thing I want in my life it’s fewer Apps.

            • fairchild@sopuli.xyzEnglish
              3·
              19 days ago

              Oh yeah right. I saw the same debate about fewer and less just a few days ago but its obviously not something made for my brain to stick. Thanks for pointing that out.

              I feel like adding that /-♱-\ is a bit offensive tho.

      • Melchior@feddit.orgEnglish
        21·
        19 days ago

        Because you can send an alert on the phone, get the coordinates and the person to the next shelter. There are early warning systems, so that is somewhat possible. Ukraine and Israel use such apps very successfully.

        EDIT: Obviously it should not be the only option.