German Red Cross / Deutsches Rotes Kreuz

Neutrality and impartiality are principles of our work and enable us to support people in need around the world.

Since Fall 2023, the German Red Cross (GRC) is involved in several emergency response missions, for example in Morocco and Libya.

Earthquake in Morocco

• On the night of September 9th, Morocco was hit by a major earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 and aftershocks. 
• The quakes had a dramatic impact on people in remote and hard-to-reach mountainous regions, in the southwest of the country and in densely populated cities such as Marrakech and Agadir.
• GRC and the Moroccan Red Crescent (MRH) have been working closely together for 12 years. The cooperation mainly includes projects in the field of disaster preparedness and first aid. A GRC delegate is therefore on site and four emergency aid experts have been sent to Morocco to assist in the coordination of the relief efforts.
• To respond to the most urgent needs, the following activities were planned: Provision of 500 family packs (tent, blankets/sleeping bags, floor mats, kitchen kit, hygiene kit) / Distribution of relief goods (especially tents & winterization kits) / Cash aid distribution / Equipment and support for MRH staff and volunteers involved in emergency relief activities / Assumption of running costs for emergency relief activities (e.g. fuel for ambulances, equipment for relief workers).

Floods in Libya

• On September 11th, Storm Daniel struck northeastern Libya, causing extensive damage along the coast. 
• Flash floods resulted in widespread damage, especially in Derna, where the collapse of two dams and other infrastructure reportedly washed away entire neighborhoods and displaced thousands. In the affected areas, infrastructure was so badly damaged that survivors lost all their belongings. 3.5 million people are affected directly or indirectly.
• Since 2022, GRC and the Libyan Red Crescent (LRC) have been working together in  bilateral partnership with a focus on disaster risk reduction projects, in particular on anticipatory humanitarian assistance.
• Urgent needs are in the areas of: Non-Food Items, Shelter, First Aid and Psychological First Aid, Food and WASH: Dispatch of an emergency unit (material and personnel) for drinking water supply for up to 15,000 people (Water Treatment and Distribution Unit) / Provision and transport of relief items (kitchen sets and hygiene kits) for 10,000 families via flight to Benghazi on Semptember 22nd.