Flood Relief | How you can provide usefull support for people on site
Just as great as the horror of last week’s flood disaster is the solidarity that is now being shown to the people affected. To help you keep track of how and where you can support the flood relief in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, we have compiled a brief overview here.
1 | Money donations rather than in-kind donations
DONATE TO LOCAL AID ORGANISATIONS
With a donation at Betterplace.org, you support a number of local organisations that are working to provide flood relief directly on site. These include the German Red Cross, the Diakonie, the Carritas and many more.
DONATION FOR PEOPLE & RESCUE FORCES ON SITE
Aktion-Deutschland-Hilft supports evacuation, organises emergency shelters and cares for traumatised people on site. They also support rescue workers and aid workers with meals and equipment.
DONATE FOR ANIMAL SHELTERS IN NEED
Not only the people but also animal welfare institutions in the affected areas need financial support to compensate for the consequences of the flood. You can also find a fundraising campaign for this on Betterplace.org.
DONATIONS IN KIND ARE NOT CURRENTLY NEEDED
Due to the enormous willingness of helpers to donate, the warehouses for donations in kind were already completely full last Saturday. Therefore, in the current situation, monetary donations are much more effective. Only things like rubber boots or durable food can still be used. But here, too, the rule is: first find out from the districts and municipalities what is really needed locally.
2 | On-site assistance only with special skills or equipment
The German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) and the German Red Cross (DRK) strongly advise against travelling to the disaster areas yourself, as this would jeopardise the professionally coordinated flood relief and your own safety.
If you have special skills such as medical or manual skills, or can provide certain equipment such as cranes or excavators, then get in touch with flood relief in Adenau.
3 | Offer your support via local bulletin boards
FOR ANIMALS IN NEED IN THE REGION
Through Annica Hansen’s Instagram channel, countless people are now offering free places for horses and other animals in need in the region. Here you can either provide a place yourself or find a safe place for your own animals.
FLOOD RELIEF COMMUNITY FOR THE AHR REGION
On the website of the Ahr flood region, you can offer your support and donations. Likewise, people looking for help and helpers on site can search specifically for support and the things they urgently need at the moment. A sleeping bag can be just as helpful as fresh potato salad.
BULLETING BOARD FOR ANY FORM OF FLOOD ASSISTANCE
The regional radio station SWR3 has set up a digital noticeboard for flood relief. Here you can either post offers of donations or, as an affected person, search specifically for things that you need acutely. From accommodation to furniture or childcare, everything is there!
The vostel.de team wishes you and all the local people a lot of strength for the flood relief!
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