Bavaria Honours THW's 75 Years of Disaster Relief and Climate Response
The Bavarian State Chancellery is honouring the THW's 75th anniversary today with a reception in Munich for around 350 members. The THW, initially established to protect the population from war effects and clear post-war debris, has evolved to focus on disaster relief and climate change responses.
Over 16,000 volunteers in Bavaria dedicate their free time to protect the population. Among them are six long-serving members from local associations in Bayreuth, Selb, Ingolstadt, Aschaffenburg, Freising, and Simbach who have been with the THW-Landesverband Bayern for over 70 years, although their names remain unconfirmed. Manfred Kürzinger from Freising is known to have been a member for 50 years.
The THW's journey began on August 22, 1950, as a civilian order service. It was later established as a federal authority in 1953 and went on its first international mission to the Netherlands. Today, Bavarian THW forces provide technical assistance abroad, rebuilding infrastructure in Slovenia and supporting efforts in Turkey after earthquakes.
Last year, THW Bavaria volunteers provided invaluable service during the flood disaster caused by low-pressure system 'Orinoco' in southern Bavaria. They also responded to the 2021 flood disaster in the Ahr Valley. As the THW adapts its tasks to react to climate change effects, it continues to rely on the dedication of its volunteers.
