Switzerland Budgets IDR 3.9 Trillion To Update Cold War-era Nuclear Bunker Network

JAKARTA - The Swiss government has budgeted around IDR 3.9 trillion to update its network of bunkers where its citizens are protected from nuclear danger in the Cold War era.

Switzerland assesses its bunker network is old, but is considered important amid global uncertainty, especially since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Thanks to the 1963 law, Switzerland is already more advanced than neighboring countries such as Germany. Each of its 9 million residents, including foreigners and refugees, is guaranteed a place in the bunker to protect them from bombs and nuclear radiation.

"In the coming years, the Confederation (Switzerland) will remove some exceptions to current rules and renew some of the older shelters," Louis-Henri Delarageaz, commander of civil protection for Canton Vaud, told Reuters.

The government launched a consultation in October to ensure " Switzerland's resilience in the event of an armed conflict" and plans to increase old buildings worth 220 million Swiss francs (Rp3,948,421,400,000.

"This doesn't mean we are prepared for conflict, that's not the message, but we have a shelter network and we need to take care of it and make sure it works," he explained.

Delarageaz said his office had received a surge in calls from residents concerned about shelters after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

"Suddenly, we were really wanted by people who wanted to know: where is the shelter, where is my place, is my shelter ready?" he said.

Although most Swiss citizens have private shelters, some rely on community bunkers.

Next to his office is one of 350 such shelters in the canton, which is well-maintained with flat beds and toilets.

Nearby is an underground command center, an underground hospital with a decontamination operating room and shower, as well as a bunker to protect artwork.

"In Switzerland, we have a forward look," Delarageaz said.

"There is a Latin saying that says: 'If you want peace, be prepared for war'," he said.

Di Desa Bercher, Kanton Vaud, petugas perlindungan sipil dengan pakaian orange memeriksa bunker di bawah blok apartemen sebagai bagian dari pemeriksaan wajib 10 tahun.

Someone tried to push the bunker door to be tightly closed but didn't want to move. The air ventilation sandwiched between plant pots and stone ornaments is considered feasible, but the escape tunnel full of spider nests leads to a deep sewer with no stairs.

"This shelter cannot be used in its current conditions," team head node GregoryENT.

"The owner will be given one year to correct the error or have to pay 800 francs for each resident in a public shelter," he added.

It is known that Switzerland has not interfered in foreign wars since becoming a neutral country in 1815. The country was occupied by France in the 18th century and experienced several air bombings in the Second World War.