Politis

Greek Interior Minister Announces Regular Shelter Inspections

Published March 12, 2026, 09:19
Greek Interior Minister Announces Regular Shelter Inspections

The Minister of Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, announced that suitability checks for shelters will be conducted every six months, something that should have been done years ago. The checks will be assigned to a specific team, and responsibilities for the previous lack of inspections will be evaluated. Simultaneously, efforts to increase the number of shelters will continue, exploring the utilization of underground parking spaces, churches, and hotels. The Minister emphasized the need for proper preparation in crisis management and effective cooperation between state services through the National Mechanism for Civil Protection, the bill for which must be passed by Parliament as soon as possible. Regarding the National Mechanism, the inclusion of the Forestry Department is being considered, while the possibility of ambulances operating as an independent service is being discussed. Mr. Ioannou stated that the priority is to address the issue of shelters and assign responsibilities, while increasing their number will continue with the cooperation of various stakeholders.