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The ministers Seehofer (r.) And Spahn
Photo: Axel Schmidt / AP
Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) sees Germany as better prepared for future crises with the "National Health Protection Reserve" decided on Wednesday.
The pandemic had painfully demonstrated dependencies, said the CDU politician at a press conference with Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU).
"It's always more expensive to buy in an emergency," said Spahn.
The new reserve is intended to be used in the event of pandemics and disasters such as now in western Germany, as well as in the event that Germany has to stand by its allies. The protective masks, which have only been tested for their effectiveness using a stripped-down procedure, should also be part of the reserve. When asked about the masks, which the Ministry of Health initially wanted to distribute to the homeless, Spahn said he wore such a mask himself.
The cabinet had previously decided on the first part of a new strategy for civil protection.
First of all, a “National Health Protection Reserve” is to be set up.
In the medium term, however, provisions for crises such as floods and major fires are to be improved.
A joint federal and state crisis center is planned, in which aid organizations will also be involved.
Seehofer and Spahn appealed to the population to develop more awareness of the crisis.
Seehofer emphasized that the warning systems such as sirens or cell broadcast would be expanded.
But this will not work without the involvement of the media and the general public.
"We need to raise awareness for everyone in the population on how to deal with disaster scenarios."
Spahn recalled the pandemic plans that had existed for years in municipalities, for example, but they were never practiced.
The federal government and the federal states have agreed that the federal states will retain the competence for disaster control in peacetime.
This was confirmed by the interior ministers, said Seehofer.
The federal government remains responsible for disaster control in the event of war, but wants to help the states with the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief as comprehensively as possible.
He expects a decision to introduce a so-called cell broadcast warning system before the general election.
mfh / dpa