Upgrade of population warning system in Lithuania two years behind schedule – audit

VILNIUS – Work to upgrade the population warning system in Lithuania is two years behind schedule and the funds allocated for it have been diverted to other needs of the Fire and Rescue Department, according to the results of the National Audit Office's audit published on Monday.

2.9 million euros was allocated to the FRD between 2023 and 2025 to ensure the cyber security and reliable operation of the system but this work has not yet started two years later, according to the findings.

According to the NAO, 1.8 million euros, or 95 percent of the amount allocated for the upgrade of the system for the period 2023-2024, has been used to pay the social security contributions for FRD staff, severance payments and other needs, and it has been done with the Interior Ministry's approval.

In addition, 78 percent of the sirens are not connected to a centralized system that would allow simultaneous activation of the sirens, thus risking that the population would not be alerted immediately.

Also, in the event of an emergency, there would be a shortage of space for about 361,000 people in shelters and 200,000 people in collective protection structures, and over 91 percent of the shelters are not accessible to people with disabilities.

A plan for the installation of a multi-channel alerting platform has been developed this year, which will cover all the main means of alerting the population, including sirens and the alert information system. The platform is expected to be in place by the end of the first quarter of 2028.

In addition, 27.5 million euros is planned for the necessary equipment for collective protection structures and 77 million euros for the installation of shelters by 2030.

The NAO vows to monitor the implementation of these measures and the progress achieved.