What we do in emergency relief

After natural disasters people in the affected regions are often left with nothing. Earthquakes, flooding or storms quickly destroy whole regions and livelihoods. In the event of armed conflicts, the civil population suffers above all from violence and lack of food and medical care. Immediate aid and emergency relief try to mitigate the consequences of crises.

The consequences of disasters and armed conflicts destroy the livelihoods of a great number of people. They destroy whole regions and with them basic food resources as well as health, hygiene and transport infrastructures. Every minute counts ‑ that is why the emergency relief of the GRC runs like a clockwork.

During the first days and weeks after a disaster, it is necessary to save lives and secure survival. The specific emergency relief depends on the situation on site. The GRC first of all assesses the situation and coordinates the relief activities with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society of the respective country. After that, for example, relief supplies like food, tarpaulins, clothing and kitchenware are distributed. The supply of drinking water and sanitation is secured.

The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement as a worldwide recognised, neutral and impartially acting humanitarian actor also provides support in armed conflicts, when the population suffers or infrastructures are destroyed. We bring aid to the injured, to refugees and displanced persons and the sick, provide medicine, water and food orsupport the building of shelters, usually via the local sister society. We also support them in establishing their own structures for the management of volunteers.

If possible, relief supplies like food, tarpaulins and clothing are locally procured and transported to the crisis region on the shortest and quickest way. Alternatively relief supplies for 300 000 people are available in the logistics centres of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Kuala Lumpur, Panama and Dubai. Relief supplies from Germany are usually flown-in only if the capacities of these international logistics centres are not sufficient.

Above all, relief flights from Germany will start if the basic needs of the affected population shall be secured and if relief can only be brought into the country from outside, primarily in the case of large-scale disasters. 

In an emergency the GRC can react quickly and flexibly with its emergency response units. These mobile modules are deployed for the supply of a large number of affected people and in the first few days help to create the most important prerequisites for efficient humanitarian aid. Flexibility, speed and need-orientation are the skills that are required in a disaster situation.

The German Red Cross has therefore developed together with other national societies a unique modular system for worldwide disaster relief. The various modules can be adapted to the situation and to the specific needs in the disaster region.

The GRC keeps three different emergency response units available for this purpose: the mobile Red Cross hospital, the mobile health care unit and the mobile DWS units for drinking water supply and disease prevention.