German Red Cross President Gerda Hasselfeldt demands a better financial backing of relief organizations from a new federal government.
Hasselfeldt told the “Rheinische Post” (Monday edition) that, due to the lack of a 2025 budget, the organization is in a state of financial uncertainty in all its areas of action: humanitarian aid, population protection, and social infrastructure. “This affects millions of people in need, both at home and abroad, who receive support from the German Red Cross.”
The Red Cross President added that for sustainable work in all fields, they need “a reliable, sufficient, and long-term financing and not one that is newly decided and then potentially revised every year.” The new government must ensure this.
Furthermore, Hasselfeldt referred to the consequences of the healthcare reform passed. As a result, “the comprehensive care is in danger. There will be further insolvencies, including because the transition financing is missing. There is an urgent need for action here too” she said.
She also demands more opportunities for providing aid to people in need in the Gaza Strip. “There is a lack of reliable access to the people in need. Both in terms of the delivery of goods across the borders, as well as within the Gaza Strip.”
Hasselfeldt added: “The situation is therefore catastrophic and has been so for over a year.” Additionally, there is a major security problem. “In 2024, more than 280 aid workers were killed in action worldwide. This is a great danger in all armed conflicts, but particularly in the Gaza Strip.” She can only urge the parties involved in such conflicts to “ensure the safety of aid workers” Hasselfeldt said.