International Cooperation
To have better networks available– disasters can go beyond the ability of regions or even entire countries to cope with them alone. Consequently, it is important to take precautions and to see to structures which allow international help to arrive safely and quickly across the world.
Networks, exchange of experiences and coordinated structures play an important role when international help is provided. THW has close bilateral contacts with many international partners but also via the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN). Both the EU and the UN have created structures for international help which allow the quick and efficient deployment and coordination of units from different countries in the event of a disaster.
As an operative civil protection organisation of the Federal Republic of Germany, THW has been deployed in more than 100 countries. Special foreign units and experts who had been prepared for the requirements of a mission abroad are ready when international help is necessary. THW’s missions abroad are carried out on behalf of the Federal Ministry of the Interior at the request of the Foreign Office. The control centre of THW coordinates in detail with both ministries how to proceed during an operation.
