Galati County, with a population of approximately half a million inhabitants, has only seven fully functional civil protection shelters out of a total of 206 verified at the end of 2025.
The results of a wide-ranging assessment carried out by a joint commission show a worrying situation regarding the infrastructure for the protection of the population.
The commission, established by the Galati County Committee for Emergency Situations, was formed by representatives of the “General Eremia Grigorescu” Emergency Situations Inspectorate, the State Construction Inspectorate, the Prefect’s Institution and local authorities.
The team checked the technical condition of 204 shelters in the municipality of Galați, of which 158 are public and 46 private, and of two public shelters in the municipality of Tecuci.
According to the commission’s report, only seven shelters are fully functional, 168 are partially functional, and 31 can no longer be used.
For each objective, detailed sheets were drawn up, sent to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations – National Operational Center, which include the identified deficiencies and the financial estimates needed for rehabilitation.
In 2025, through European funds and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), a command point and a shelter were modernized in the municipality of Galați, as well as a shelter in Tecuci. Investments will continue in 2026 to increase the population’s protection capacity.
The Prefect of Galați County, Andreea Anamaria Naggar, emphasized the importance of prevention.
“A well-informed community that knows the risks and knows how to react correctly in emergency situations can significantly reduce the loss of human life and property damage. Prevention is not the exclusive responsibility of the authorities, but a joint effort involving every citizen.” said Andreea Anamaria Naggar.
According to the legislation, each shelter must provide at least 1 square meter and 2.5 square meters for each person, and in the case of hospital buildings, the minimum area is 2 square meters.
The total accommodation capacity of the 206 verified objectives is 19,575 people.
Since the beginning of this year, the authorities in Galati have started actions to identify and inventory other spaces that can be used as shelters – basements, semi-basements, galleries or tunnels – an action that will be completed at the end of April.
