DRK President - Hasselfeldt: Better equipment for disasters
In light of the flooding in parts of Germany, the German Red Cross (DRK) is calling for better preparation for such crises. "We need more and better equipment for disasters in Germany," DRK President Gerda Hasselfeldt told the "Rheinische Post" (Tuesday). "The deficits are glaring, especially in terms of material equipment."
After the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley in the summer of 2021, the awareness of those politically responsible for civil protection has increased. "There's not much left of that now." There is a concept, but its implementation is faltering due to very limited budget funds. The political consensus had been to "procure ten mobile support modules for use in the event of destroyed infrastructure. So far, there is only one," complained Hasselfeldt.
According to her, a module consisting of tents, for example, can accommodate, care for and provide comprehensive support for up to 5,000 people at a time. "We are not talking about crises. But it is foreseeable that we will be affected by disasters more and more often. Possibly at the same time."
Emergency services have been working continuously in the flood areas for days. Lower Saxony, parts of North Rhine-Westphalia and southern Saxony-Anhalt are particularly affected. On New Year's Eve, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited a flood area in Lower Saxony, followed a day later by Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser.
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- Despite the catastrophic flooding in areas like Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as parts of Saxony-Anhalt, the German Red Cross (DRK) President Gerda Hasselfeldt emphasized the need for better equipment to handle such disasters.
- The flooding in the Ahr Valley in 2021 served as a wake-up call, leading to increased awareness among political officials responsible for civil protection.
- However, the implementation of this concept has been slowed due to insufficient budget funds, leaving Germany with a single mobile support module out of the planned ten.
- Hasselfeldt pointed out that a single mobile support module, equipped with tents for up to 5,000 people, could provide comprehensive aid during times of disaster.
- With the frequency of disasters in Germany potentially growing, Hasselfeldt emphasized the importance of being prepared for multiple crises occurring simultaneously.
- The Rheinische Post reported that Hasselfeldt highlighted the urgent need for improved material equipment in the face of Germany's current deficits.
- Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, along with Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser, paid visits to flood-stricken areas in Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia towards the end of 2021.
- Despite the bad weather and flooding that has affected numerous regions of Germany, including Düsseldorf and Thuringia, Gerda Hasselfeldt continues to advocate for improved preparedness and resources to face future natural disasters.
Source: www.stern.de
