Short answer. Yes. Kazakhstan's Law on Civil Protection provides a fund of civil-defence protective structures, sized for the largest working shift of designated organisations, plus "simple shelters" such as basements, underground car parks and tunnels for the population 12. In October 2022 the Ministry of Emergency Situations counted 12,963 simple shelters with a total capacity of about 11 million people 4. There is no official public locator map.
What types of shelter exist in Kazakhstan?
Official sources describe four types 12:
| Type (Russian term) | Description |
|---|---|
| Убежища | Blast shelters |
| Противорадиационные укрытия | Anti-radiation shelters |
| Мобильные защитные сооружения | Mobile protective structures |
| Простейшие укрытия | Simple shelters: basements, ground floors, underground car parks, tunnels |
The first three form the fund of civil-defence protective structures. The law states that these structures must be designed for the largest working shift and used for civil-protection purposes ("должны быть рассчитаны на наибольшую работающую смену") 1. They serve organisations assigned civil-defence categories 1.
Simple shelters are existing below-ground or ground-floor spaces adapted to protect the population. Since 1 January 2026, their adaptation follows national standard ST RK 4016-2025, which plans for stays of up to 12 hours 2. See shelter standards.
How many shelters are there?
The most recent official count found is from October 2022: 12,963 simple shelters, with a total capacity of about 11 million people 4. No more recent official count was found in the sources checked.
How do I find my nearest shelter?
There is no official public locator map 4. MChS gives this advice 4:
- If you live in an apartment block, ask your housing cooperative (КСК, KSK) or owners' association (ОСИ, OSI) for information about the shelter assigned to your building.
- For evacuation assembly points, look them up in the 2GIS app.
Do this before an emergency. When the "Attention everyone!" signal sounds, turn on radio or television for local instructions (see alerts).
What changed in 2025?
The law on civil-protection matters signed in June 2025 amended the rules on protective structures 3. Since then, civil-defence protective structures must be registered in the legal cadastre as separate real-estate objects 13.
Should I go to a shelter or stay where I am?
The right action depends on the hazard and on official instructions. Our guide shelter or evacuate explains the general reasoning, and air-raid alerts describes what to do when sirens sound. For radiation hazards, see protection factor and the 7-10 rule for fallout.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a map of shelters in Kazakhstan?
No official public locator map exists. MChS advises asking your building's KSK or OSI, and looking up evacuation assembly points in the 2GIS app 4.
How long are simple shelters designed for?
ST RK 4016-2025 plans for the population to stay in simple shelters for up to 12 hours 2.
Who are civil-defence shelters built for?
The law sizes protective structures for the largest working shift of organisations assigned civil-defence categories 1. Simple shelters are intended for the population 2.
Are shelters registered officially?
Yes. Since the June 2025 amendments, civil-defence protective structures must be registered in the legal cadastre as separate real-estate objects 13.
Sources
- Республика Казахстан (ИПС «Әділет») — Закон Республики Казахстан от 11 апреля 2014 года № 188-V «О гражданской защите» (amendments to 08.07.2026; art. 23 as amended by Law No. 196-VIII of 24.06.2025) — https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/Z1400000188 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Министерство по чрезвычайным ситуациям Республики Казахстан — Новый стандарт гражданской обороны СТ РК 4016-2025 (9 Apr. 2026) — https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/emer/press/news/details/1197020?lang=ru (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Министерство по чрезвычайным ситуациям Республики Казахстан — Подписан Закон по вопросам гражданской защиты (24 June 2025) — https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/emer/press/news/details/1023302?lang=ru (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Министерство по чрезвычайным ситуациям Республики Казахстан — Куда бежать казахстанцам в случае опасности? (24 Oct. 2022) — https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/emer/press/news/details/487265?lang=ru (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
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Sources
- Республика Казахстан (ИПС «Әділет») · Закон Республики Казахстан от 11 апреля 2014 года № 188-V «О гражданской защите» checked 2026-10-20
- Министерство по чрезвычайным ситуациям Республики Казахстан · Новый стандарт гражданской обороны СТ РК 4016-2025 checked 2026-10-20
- Министерство по чрезвычайным ситуациям Республики Казахстан · Подписан Закон по вопросам гражданской защиты checked 2026-10-20
- Министерство по чрезвычайным ситуациям Республики Казахстан · Куда бежать казахстанцам в случае опасности? checked 2026-10-20