Germany’s preparedness for crisis and disaster situations remains inadequate, according to the President of the German Red Cross, Gerda Hasselfeldt. In remarks given to Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Hasselfeldt expressed concern that insufficient attention is being paid to the protection of the civilian population.
She cautioned that preparation for armed conflict and large-scale severe weather events is not a theoretical concern and highlighted a disconnect in discussions surrounding national security, which often overlook the protection of citizens within Germany itself.
Hasselfeldt outlined three essential elements for effective civil protection: adequate equipment including emergency supplies, sufficient personnel capable of providing assistance during crises and enhanced resilience within the general population. She asserted that significant deficits exist in each of these areas. Current capabilities fall far short of being able to provide care and support for even one to two percent of the population in emergency scenarios.
Furthermore, existing budgetary allocations are not projected to contribute to the necessary improvements, with no funding currently pledged for crucial resources like mobile care modules. Hasselfeldt advocated for an annual investment of €2.5 billion for civil protection, stating that current funding levels are approximately half of that and do not explicitly account for the needs of recognized aid organizations.
Addressing a question on potential infrastructure solutions, Hasselfeldt suggested the consideration of protective spaces, specifying that these need not necessarily be traditional bunkers but could include the utilization of existing infrastructure such as subway stations.
She also voiced strong criticism of the ongoing hospital reform, accusing the former governing coalition of neglecting crisis preparedness. The reform, she argued, fails to incorporate measures that would facilitate the rapid transformation of clinics into protective spaces, while uncertainty persists regarding which hospitals will remain operational and which will be forced to close.