Experts: Latvia's civil defence preparedness still incomplete

A series of drone incidents in Latvia in recent months has brought renewed attention to how prepared the state and society are to respond to a serious crisis. This was reported by Latvian Television's programme "De facto".

Progress since the critical assessment

Four years ago, the State Audit Office issued a critical assessment of Latvia's civil defence system. Since then, several steps have been taken to address the shortcomings. A Crisis Management Centre has been established to coordinate responses to emergency situations. A cell broadcast alert system has also been introduced, allowing authorities to quickly warn residents of threats. In addition, potential shelters have been identified, and civil defence plans have been developed for various scenarios.

Practical readiness remains the weak link

Despite these measures, experts point out that practical preparedness for a large-scale crisis remains the weakest part of the system. While the formal structures and planning have improved, the actual ability to respond quickly and effectively to a serious crisis has not yet been fully secured.

The question of preparedness has become especially relevant in recent months, following several drone-related incidents in Latvia that have highlighted potential security risks facing the country.