The role of postal communication in emergency situations

The article investigates the role of postal communication as an element of critical infrastructure under emergency conditions. The transformation processes of postal communication enterprises caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition from traditional services to logistics-oriented models that meet the challenges of the digital economy are analyzed. The directions for the adaptation of postal services to the conditions of martial law are outlined, ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, medicines, pensions, and means of communication to dangerous areas. Examples of international experience in postal communication during disasters and conflicts are considered, confirming its key role in maintaining communication and logistical stability. It is proven that postal infrastructure performs not only a service function but also strategically important humanitarian and security functions, especially in emergencies. A conclusion is made about the necessity of combining the social mission of postal enterprises with modern business models based on digital technologies and partnerships with state institutions and international organizations. Challenges faced by the postal service under emergency conditions are analyzed, and key directions of adaptation are outlined: infrastructure modernization, optimization of logistical processes, implementation of digital technologies, and development of cross-sectoral cooperation. Special attention is paid to the need to develop a multi-level approach to ensuring the postal sector’s resilience, including mechanisms of state support, development of public-private partnerships, effective tariff policy, and a system for monitoring operators. The expediency of state support for postal communication is substantiated in crisis conditions and during periods of stability to ensure its readiness for emergency events as an instrument of guaranteeing national security. It is noted that the combination of market and socially oriented mechanisms creates conditions for ensuring the reliable functioning of postal infrastructure in peacetime and its readiness for prompt response during emergencies. Keywords: postal communication, logistics, digital economy, emergency situations, state support, international economy.