Minister for Civil Defense, Carl Oskar Bohlin, has issued a call for everyone to tone down following recent warnings of war. The minister highlighted the state of Sweden’s civil defense infrastructure, pointing out that while the country has seven million shelter places, in some areas the supply is insufficient and no new funds have been allocated for construction.
“We stopped building shelters after 2002,” Bohlin stated during a P3 morning session. He also mentioned the possibility of evacuation for those living in undersized shelter areas in the event of war, highlighting the need for situational assessment rather than a general approach.
Bohlin also emphasized the importance of preparedness, referring to the Swedish Agency for Protection and Preparedness brochure from 2018, “If the crisis or the war comes,” which contains clear instructions for self-preparedness.
Amidst these concerns, Bohlin urged for a calm approach, stating, “There is no need to panic or lose sleep over this,” and expressed his view that the tone surrounding the situation is unnecessarily loud. He cited the example of Ukraine, where ordinary basements have been converted into shelters, as a potential approach if extraordinary measures are needed.
The minister’s remarks came in the wake of heightened security concerns in Sweden, and he emphasized the need for self-preparedness and an understanding of the current security policy situation. His call for calm and preparedness comes at a time when tensions are rising and questions about the country’s readiness for war are being raised.
As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how Sweden will address its civil defense infrastructure and whether additional measures will be taken to address potential shortcomings. But for now, the minister’s message is clear: be prepared, stay calm, and lower the tone.