Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein are demanding billions for civil protection!

Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein are demanding billions for civil protection!

In a joint initiative, the governments of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein have called for the urgent financial strengthening of civil protection in Germany. Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) commented on this after a cabinet meeting between the two countries and emphasized the need to create a solid basis for civil protection. The call includes an initial investment of 10 billion euros, followed by a further 20 billion euros to improve strained security structures and meet security requirements. This requirement should be taken into account in the planned special fund in order to strengthen the defense capacity of the countries, especially in times of geopolitical uncertainties such as those caused by the Russian attack on Ukraine. Boyens Medien reports that the required investments should also serve to increase contributions to the “Operations Plan Germany” (OPLAN DEU).

But what exactly does this initiative mean for citizens? Above all, it is about better protection of critical infrastructure, such as the water supply and armaments-related companies. The German District Association (DLT) recently organized a well-attended event on this topic, which brought together district administrators from all over Germany. A central result of the meeting was the position paper entitled “Making civil protection more efficient!”, which calls for the combination of military and civilian support services. It was emphasized how important it is to create a modern basis in civil protection in order to be better prepared for future challenges. Landkreistag emphasizes that the security policy situation in Europe requires a rethink.

Shared responsibility in civil protection

A key to effective civil protection lies in better networking between security authorities, disaster relief officers and industrial companies. The new operational plan, which has been in force since March 2024, aims to promote this cooperation and define clear procedures in the event of tension and defense. The federal government plans to improve the necessary structures and increase the efficiency of disaster relief from a federal and state perspective. Katrima explains the strategies that have been pursued since the civil protection strategy was revised in 2002 and what progress has already been made.

The challenges posed by the horrors of the past and current geopolitical tensions cannot be overlooked. The floods on the Elbe in 2002 and the attacks on September 11, 2001 had a lasting impact on German civil protection and made it clear how important a well-functioning infrastructure and close cooperation are. The responsibility between the federal, state and local governments is considered essential, especially at a time when hybrid threats are more prevalent than ever. Citizens should be better protected through risk management, modern equipment and an improved warning system.

Overall, it is clear that the demands from Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein are not only a response to the current challenges, but also part of a comprehensive plan to improve the security architecture in Germany. In order to be future-oriented and resilient, everyone involved must pull together and develop solutions together.