Frontline Pokrovsk to build underground school ensuring children’s safety during Russian shelling

A "school underground" is to be built in the frontline Pokrovsk. An international NGO has agreed to develop a project to reconstruct one of the educational institutions with a shelter that would allow for training, authorities report.

What is the problem?

Russian forces are shelling civilian settlements in the Donetsk region almost daily. The Pokrovsk district recently came under enemy fire, resulting in casualties among civilians. Therefore, students have to be provided with reliable protection while attending school.

The city began building the simplest shelters in schools and kindergartens, which were not available in any other institution in the city. So far, work has been completed in one of seven schools and five of six kindergartens.

There are a total of 50 schools and kindergartens in Pokrovsk, but it is impossible to build shelters in all of them. Most schools and kindergartens do not have basements, and the water table in the city is very close to the surface.

Photo: Pokrovsk administration

What is the solution?

The school is to be built on the basis of an educational complex destroyed by Russian shelling. When the school is restored, there should be an underground room where lessons are held during air raids in the frontline community.

The U-LEAD International Organization agreed to develop the project.

How does it work?

The organization has already made a general visual solution for the "school underground". This project should be discussed with the community, so the designers can begin their work, which will last several months. When the project is ready, the city authorities will look for sources of funding, including the state.