Riga, Feb 6 (LETA) - Several disaster management centers will be opened in Kurzeme on Wednesday, February 11, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) informed LETA.

During an event in Liepaja, the new disaster management center will be inaugurated and the specialized fire rescue vehicles purchased will be presented.

The event will be attended by the Minister of the Interior, the Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Latvia, the management of VUGD, the Provision State Agency, the Health and Sports Centre of the Ministry of the Interior, employees, representatives of the municipality, cooperation partners and other guests.

"This day will mark an important stage in the targeted strengthening of the disaster management system, demonstrating the real results in attracting European Union (EU) funds. The support of the EU Recovery Fund and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) will allow the construction of at least 19 disaster management centers in Latvia," stressed VUGD.

In addition to the construction of the disaster management centers, the ERDF funding has enabled the most ambitious renewal of the VUGD fleet in its history. By the end of 2026, a total of 390 specialized fire-fighting and rescue vehicles and their equipment units will be purchased in Latvia, thus significantly increasing the efficiency of rescue operations.

The construction of the disaster management center in Liepaja started in November 2024. The total cost of the project is EUR 3.56 million, of which EUR 2.89 million from the EU Recovery Fund and EUR 670,000 from the state budget. The total floor space of the building is 1,105.3 square meters.

A new disaster management centre will also be opened in Alsunga. Construction of the Disaster Management Centre started in November 2024. The total cost of the project is EUR 3.14 million, of which EUR 2.54 million from the EU's Recovery Fund and EUR 599,000 from the national budget. The total floor space of the building is 676.4 square meters.