Emergency and Disaster Relief

Disasters, crises, and conflicts often leave those affected with nothing. Every minute counts – that's why the German Red Cross's emergency relief works like clockwork.

Young woman provides first aid to senior citizen

Disasters

In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, the primary goal is to save lives and ensure survival. The specific disaster relief activities depend on the local situation. The GRC first assesses the situation and coordinates its relief efforts with the Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in the respective country. Then, relief supplies such as food, tarpaulins, and clothing are distributed. Water and sewage supplies are ensured, and emergency medical assistance is organized.

Armed Conflicts

As a globally acknowledged, neutral, and impartial humanitarian organization, the Red Cross also provides assistance in armed conflicts. We assist injured, displaced, and diseased people, deliver medicine, water, and food, or offer shelter – usually in cooperation with the local Red Cross or Red Crescent Society. We also support volunteers in crisis regions in establishing their own structures.

Volunteer in front of water reservoirs — Water treatment in Honduras

Woman wearing blankets on her head — Mozambique: Distribution of relief items after cyclone

Setting up a large tent — Setting up a mobile health unit in Greece to assist refugees

Doctor shows x-ray image to lying patient — The mobile hospital is equipped with the most important medical equipment, including an X-ray unit.

Whenever possible, relief supplies such as food, tents, and clothing are procured regionally and transported to crisis and disaster areas using the shortest and fastest route. The German Red Cross usually only flies relief supplies from Germany when local and regional capacities are insufficient.

To ensure the essential supply of clean water and medical care, the GRC stores Emergency Response Units (ERUs) at its logistics center in Berlin: the mobile hospital, the mobile health unit, as well as water and hygiene units. With these combinable ERUs, the German Red Cross can respond quickly and flexibly, as their various modules can be adapted to the situation and needs in the disaster area. The modules are immediately ready for deployment and can be used for up to four months. In the initial days, the ERUs help create the most important conditions for efficient humanitarian aid and provide care for the affected population.

Mobile Hospital

Get a look inside a Finnish Red Cross mobile hospital in a crisis zone. The virtual tour takes you through the field hospital in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, showing accommodations, the men's ward, the X-ray room, and the operating room.

360° view

RC staff talking to community representative in South Sudan

International Coordination of Aid

Providing poeple in need with fast and purposeful assistance requires efficient coordination of aid and close cooperation with local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

International Coordination of Aid

Providing poeple in need with fast and purposeful assistance requires efficient coordination of aid and close cooperation with local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Emergency and Disaster Relief

Acute Aid

Disasters

Armed Conflicts

Relief supplies, clean water and medical care

Virtual insight

Mobile Hospital

Further reading