The Civil Defence Shelter Programme is part of the government's plan to build up our Civil Defence preparedness under the umbrella of Total Defence. The long-term goal of the shelter programme is for every resident in Singapore to be protected by a purpose-built shelter berth.

In many countries with established civil defence programmes, a comprehensive shelter construction programme is recognised as the most visible and effective way to protect civilians from weapon effects during a wartime emergency. Furthermore, in a wartime emergency, soldiers at the battlefront would have greater peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones at home would be protected.