THE recent bout of hostilities between Pakistan and India and the 12-day war between Israel and Iran have underlined the relevance of air raid shelters and civil defence facilities in this era of heightened global tensions and technological warfare.

The recent confrontation in the sub-continent resulted in over 30 deaths in Pakistan, including military men, while India may have suffered equally, if not more. However, the Israeli-Iranian conflict was decidedly more intense and the death toll clearly higher. The media reported that Iran had suffered 610 deaths, including 49 women and 13 children, and there were 4,746 injured.

At least around 15 top-ranking military personnel and scientists also fell victim to Israel’s unprovoked onslaught. That Israel suffered fewer than 40 killed was mainly due to the numerous air raid shelters it has constructed all over the country. On the other hand, Iran practically had none, or perhaps a handful.

Over the years, major conflicts have been rare, but the unpredictability of modern threats has highlighted the urgent need to assess the state of civilian protection infrastructure. Many countries, including those in South Asia, still rely on outdated air raid shelters built during past wars. These structures often lack adequate ventilation, sanitation, communication systems, and emergency supplies.

For contemporary needs, shelters must be designed with modern materials that ensure better blast resistance, radiation shielding, and insulation. They should also incorporate independent power supplies, water purification systems, and sufficient food reserves to sustain the occupants for extended periods.

Furthermore, civil defence facilities must expand beyond shelter construction. Comprehensive programmes targeting civil preparedness are quite essential These should include public awareness campaigns, regular emergency drills, evacuation route planning, and the inte-gration of mobile apps for real-time alerts and instructions. Civil defence should not be seen as a wartime mechanism; it should be a core element of national resilience.

Fawad Hashmey
Lahore

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2025