Wave of resignations at the DRK Delmenhorst: Volunteers sound the alarm!

Wave of resignations at the DRK Delmenhorst: Volunteers sound the alarm!

In Delmenhorst, the situation at the German Red Cross (DRK) is anything but rosy. The DRK standby in Delmenhorst is affected by a wave of resignations, as 53 of 56 volunteers have now announced their resignation in a collective statement. In the letters they express serious accusations against the management of the association, particularly a lack of equipment and a lack of communication Weser courier reported.

A look behind the scenes shows alarming conditions: In winter there was a lack of warm clothing to adequately equip the volunteers for missions. The fact that some full-time employees used the on-call equipment for official purposes without prior consultation also contributes to the great displeasure. At times the volunteers were unable to provide usable vehicles and intact tents. During an operation last year, another aid organization stepped in, which further increased the distrust.

Serious allegations against the leadership

In addition, the DRK reports that hundreds of garbage bags from a refugee accommodation were stowed in a camp area, which also causes a lack of understanding here. Although the DRK rejects central allegations, there are admitted structural weaknesses that need to be addressed. According to Schulz's statement, personal protective equipment was available but was not used correctly. In order to improve the situation, measures to optimize warehouse and information management have now been initiated.

The volunteers warned in their risk reports that the standby force was “no longer operational”. The DRK itself also regrets the delays in processing reports and held individual discussions with former members to create prospects for a possible return. It is positive that a new DRK preparedness with 27 active members was established.

Volunteering in disaster relief

Commitment to disaster control is of great importance for Germany. According to the DRK The volunteers are active in various operational formations such as emergency units, water rescue trains or rapid response groups (SEG). These groups specialize in the areas of medical services, technology, security and logistics and play a crucial role in disaster operations. The coordinated collaboration of specialist services is essential for efficient assistance.

The relevance of voluntary work is supported by a current study that was carried out on behalf of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (BBK). In Germany, over 1.76 million volunteers are active in civil defense and disaster protection. The engagement rate remains constant at around three percent of the population. Nevertheless, the results show that a third of operational organizations do not have enough members to meet increasing demands. This, especially in times of climate change and more frequent extreme weather events, requires urgent attention to ensure the availability of helpers.

In summary, it can be said that the DRK in Delmenhorst is facing serious challenges that affect not only the organization itself, but also general trust in the auxiliary staff. The next steps will be crucial to strengthen volunteerism and ensure long-term commitment. It remains to be hoped that the measures taken and the return of former members will bring about a positive change that will benefit both the helpers and the community.