Civilian protection shortfalls highlighted by German Red Cross, affecting bunkers, hospitals, and medicaments - Protective facilities, healthcare institutions, and medical supplies: The DRC laments insufficient resources for population protection
In a recent development, Germany's defense spending is on the rise, with the 2026 budget indicating a substantial increase in funds dedicated to both military and civil defense preparedness. The latest planned defense budget for 2026 is approximately €82.7 billion, with an additional €25.5 billion in supplementary military funding[1][4].
However, concerns have been raised about the insufficient funding for civil defense infrastructure and resources. The German Red Cross (DRK) General Secretary has expressed that the current budget allocation is not acceptable for civil defense needs, and that only half of the required 2.5 billion euros for civil defense is planned for 2025[1][2]. The DRK General Secretary has emphasized the need for increased funding for civil defense, with a specific annual budget requirement of 2.5 billion euros[1].
NATO has pushed for member countries to spend 1.5% of GDP on civil defense and resilience, including infrastructure like hospitals and emergency preparedness. While Germany has been intensifying its defense budget, precise annual funds earmarked for civil defense alone, separate from military spending, are not detailed explicitly in the available budget documents[5]. The Ministry of Interior’s budget, which includes civil protection, disaster relief, and law enforcement, rose by €800 million to €16 billion in 2026, reflecting an increase in civil defense and disaster readiness funding[1].
The DRK General Secretary's concerns revolve around the insufficient funding for civil defense, highlighting that the funds are inadequate at both the front and the back of civil defense efforts[1]. The state's current capacity for emergency accommodation and care is significantly less than the suggested minimum by the White Paper of the Armed Forces. Currently, only a few tens of thousands can be accommodated, according to the DRK General Secretary[1].
The DRK General Secretary has stated that specific data on hospital emergency beds and exact medication stockpiles maintained by the Red Cross or Armed Forces are not available in the current public budget or documents[1][2]. If you need exact figures on hospital or medical preparedness, you may need to consult specialized annual reports from the German Red Cross or Bundeswehr medical services, which are not covered in the recent budget disclosures.
In summary, while Germany is significantly increasing investment in defense and civil protection, the DRK General Secretary's concerns indicate that specific annual funds earmarked for civil defense alone are insufficient. The DRK General Secretary has emphasized the need for increased funding for civil defense, with a specific annual budget requirement of 2.5 billion euros. The current capacity for emergency accommodation and care is significantly less than the suggested minimum by the White Paper of the Armed Forces, and specific data on hospital emergency beds and exact medication stockpiles maintained by the Red Cross or Armed Forces are not available in the current public budget or documents.
- The German Red Cross (DRK) General Secretary has emphasized the importance of increasing the budget for civil defense, suggesting a specific annual requirement of 2.5 billion euros, a figure that aligns with NATO's push for member countries to spend on civil defense and resilience, including health-and-wellness facilities like hospitals and emergency preparedness.
- The DRK General Secretary has expressed concerns about the insufficient funding for civil defense, particularly in areas like therapies-and-treatments and employment policy, as adequate resources are essential for effective emergency accommodation and care, as recommended by the White Paper of the Armed Forces.
