Who's Stepping Up? Crisis Management: Aid groups call for action as Germany falls short
- Protective Measures Insufficiency Uncovered Among Humanitarian Agencies
Here's the deal:
According to major aid organizations in Germany, the nation isn't equipped to protect its population during a crisis. As natural disasters and security threats increase, it's high time for change, say the German Red Cross (DRK), Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB), German Life-Saving Association (DLRG), Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe, and Malteser Hilfsdienst in a joint position paper.
But it's not just a matter of funds
Improved financial support is crucial, but it's not the only solution. The five organizations argue for reform of the Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance Act and nationwide regulations for the release of volunteer helpers. They suggest the same regulations for release, social security, and financial compensation should apply to aid organizations as those for the Technical Relief Agency (THW) and the voluntary fire brigade. They also advocate for improved volunteer framework conditions overall.
Who's in charge?
States are responsible for disaster protection in Germany, while the federal government is responsible for civil protection in tense and defense situations. The aid organizations want to change this, proposing a unified crisis management system with joint training and exercises.
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The risk factor
Aid organizations want citizens to be trained in self-protection measures. To persuade the population of the importance of strengthening crisis resilience and encouraging personal precautionary measures, they believe it's essential to present existing risks candidly. General (ret.) Martin Schelleis, Federal Commissioner of the Malteser for crisis resilience, insists on this.
ASB business manager Edith Wallmeier points out the different rules of the 16 federal states for disaster protection as a weakness in national emergencies.
DLRG President Ute Vogt proposes eliminating value-added tax on boats, vehicles, and personal protective equipment of helpers in the future.
- Aid organizations
- Crisis
- DRK
- Germany
- Population protection
- DLRG
- Crisis case
- Berlin
- Federal government
- Natural disaster
- THW
- Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund
- Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe
- Malteser Hilfsdienst
Enrichment Suggestions:
- Allocate at least 0.5% of the federal budget to civil protection, roughly 2.4 billion euros per year, to ensure sufficient resources for emergency services like mobile care units.[1]
- Establish an integrated crisis management system that includes all government levels (federal, state, local), civil society, and business stakeholders for effective coordinated responses to emergencies.[1]
- Reform the Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance Act to create uniform federal regulations, including consistent rules for the release, social security, and financial compensation of volunteer helpers.[1]
- Enhance support for education and information programs aimed at training citizens in self-protection measures to empower citizens during crisis situations.[1]
- Expand international cooperation by participating more actively in international networks to address natural disasters and security threats more effectively.[1]
The aid organizations are pushing for these changes to improve Germany's emergency preparedness and protect its population during a crisis.
[1] Based on the recommendations of major German aid organizations and Enrichment Data.
- The aid organizations, including DRK, ASB, DLRG, Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe, and Malteser Hilfsdienst, have proposed reforms to the Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance Act and nationwide regulations for the release of volunteer helpers, similar to those for the Technical Relief Agency (THW) and the voluntary fire brigade.
- To strengthen crisis resilience, these organizations suggest presenting existing risks candidly to the population, encouraging personal precautionary measures, and advocating for improved volunteer framework conditions.
- In light of increasing natural disasters and security threats, these organizations have called for the creation of a unified crisis management system, involving all government levels, civil society, and business stakeholders, for effective coordinated responses to emergencies.
