The emergency population warning system built at the end of the 1980s was designed amid the cold war events, not yet for natural disasters. This is limited in possibilities and outdated from all viewpoints. In a response to IPN Agency, the General Inspectorate for Emergencies said serious modernization is required given the intensification of emergencies as a result of climate change. An efficient system for preventing and protecting the population, goods and environment should be created.

The automated system activates electromagnetic sirens that emit the warning signal through 155 units. These can be triggered only nationwide, in case of an emergency that covers the whole country. About 100 sirens are situated in Chisinau, while the others in district centers.

At the local level, in districts, municipalities and towns, there are 106 electronic sirens that can be activated only manually, at the decision of chairpersons of commissions for emergencies of the given level. These sirens are few in number and do not cover the populated areas with audio signal. They work only if they are connected to the power system. If the electricity is turned off, they become nonfunctional. In villages, there are no sirens at all, except for a village of ATU Gagauzia and two villages of Căușeni district, where several sirens were installed as part of projects. The sound or vocal alerts can be issued instantaneously or in a programmed way. If the electricity is off, the sirens are fueled by generators for 48 hours.

The systems that warned through the agency of the national telecoms carrier and broadcasting centers no longer work as they are out-of-date. The families no longer have, as earlier, receivers of national broadcast signals. In more serious emergencies, the population is warned now through the media.

The automated emergency population warning system is turned on once a year in summer for check. Since it was created, the system has never been used for other purposes than checks. It could have been used during the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, but when the tragedy became known it was too late. The explosion was hidden for a period.

According to the General Inspectorate for Emergencies, Moldova needs a system for warning about natural disasters with national, regional and even mobile management centers. The Inspectorate during the last few years made effort to implement a new alert system, but could not do much in the absence of financing. Investments of millions of euros are needed for the purpose.

Maria Prokopchuk, IPN