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German Red Cross Criticizes 2025 Budget for Neglecting Disaster Training

Federal provisions for 2025 cover training for fewer than 100,000 citizens despite calls for 800,000 annual courses.

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Ein Schild warnt vor Hochwasser (Archiv)

Overview

  • The DRK says Germany must train four million people in disaster relief over five years to achieve basic national preparedness.
  • Heike Spieker states that roughly 800,000 citizens need first aid and self-help courses each year to reach a reasonable level of readiness.
  • Current federal funding for 2025 allocates spots for under 100,000 participants annually, a small fraction of the target.
  • The DRK warns that the proposed budget contradicts government promises to strengthen civil protection and calls it absolutely insufficient.
  • The organization demands funding for nursing support personnel to assist in emergency shelters, a measure it says could cost only a low double-digit million euros yet have a major impact.