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Flood disaster in Germany: helpers raise serious allegations - "littered with garbage"

2021-07-25T07:03:06.098Z


Many people lend a hand after the flood disaster in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. But in some places people were attacked because of it.


Many people lend a hand after the flood disaster in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate.

But in some places people were attacked because of it.

Koblenz - After the flood, clean-up work follows.

Numerous volunteers and emergency services help after the severe storms in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate.

But not all of them give the helpers a friendly welcome.

Sabine Lackner, Vice President of the Technical Relief Organization (THW), reported on Saturday morning of attacks and insults on the THW workers.

"If you are on the road with emergency vehicles, you are thrown with garbage," said Lackner in the RTL / ntv program "Frühstart".

"It goes so far that our helpers are insulted." In some places THW employees were filmed by people who did not identify themselves as the press.

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Employees of the Technical Relief Organization (THW) help with clean-up work.

(Symbol image)

© Alexander Mann / THW / dpa

Flood area: THW reports attacks on helpers

The Koblenz police responded to the THW spokeswoman's allegations on Twitter. "We ourselves only found out about this alleged incident from the media and checked it immediately with the THW and our police forces," tweeted the Koblenz police at 11:24 am. She could not confirm the descriptions, but showed solidarity with the helpers. “Should the police become aware of such an incident, we will take immediate and decisive action against it. Attacking our helpers is simply not possible! ”Was the conclusion of the officials on site.

The situation is psychologically stressful and regrettable for the people helping on site, Lackner explained on the TV show.

Because of the incidents, no mission was canceled.

In addition, the THW staff removed some of their name tags in order to protect themselves personally, according to Lackner.

Attacks during clean-up work: THW suspects preppers and lateral thinkers

According to the THW vice-president, on the one hand frustrated flood victims are behind the attacks.

On the other hand, it is about people from the lateral thinker and prepper scene who pretend to be affected and consciously create a mood, Lackner noted complainingly.

The term prepper refers to people who equip themselves with all kinds of supplies and equipment for any disaster.

According to Lackner, around 30,000 people in the flood areas currently have no drinking water, no electricity or even have to do without both.

The THW is preparing for a longer mission.

"We are currently assuming that we will be there for a few more weeks." Now the situation could worsen again: The German Meteorological Service expects strong storms in the region again on Saturday afternoon.

Volunteers help in the flood area: too many people came on Saturday

In addition to organizations such as the THW, private individuals also travel to the crisis area to volunteer to help with the clean-up work.

On Saturday (July 24th), however, so many people came to the Ahr region that the Koblenz police tried to stop more volunteers.

“A big request to the unbelievable number of helpers: Please refrain from traveling to the flood area on the Ahr with immediate effect.

All parking spaces are full and the shuttles are busy.

Your help will still be needed in the next few months.

Thank you for your understanding! ", The police wrote at 10.55 am on Twitter.

In order to better coordinate the relief effort, official parking spaces have been designated.

A shuttle bus system takes people to where their help is needed.

(lb with dpa / AFP) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

List of rubric lists: © Alexander Mann / THW / dpa

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-07-25

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