In the face of escalating threats, the German Red Cross (DRK) is calling for massive investments in the protection of citizens in Germany. According to DRK President Gerda Hasselfeldt, at least 0.5 percent of the federal budget should be allocated to strengthening the population’s protection through recognized humanitarian organizations, amounting to approximately 2.4 billion euros annually.
Hasselfeldt drew attention to the coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD, recalling that the new federal government had set the goal of establishing a crisis-proof and future-oriented population protection system. In light of the growing threats, the coalition’s claim to urgency is gaining importance, she emphasized.
The additional funds, Hasselfeldt explained, should be used to ensure the readiness of humanitarian organizations, promote voluntary work and harden infrastructure and redundancies. Moreover, the capacity for crisis or defense-related emergency accommodations and care must be rapidly expanded, the DRK President stated.