Newsblog

The final conference of the BMBF-funded initiative WaX – Water Extremes took place on March 12 and 13, 2025, in Berlin. It was jointly organized by the University of Potsdam and the German Committee for Disaster Reduction (DKKV). The event provided the twelve interdisciplinary research consortia – comprising a total of 81 partner institutions – […]

The number and intensity of heatwaves in cities is increasing worldwide – with sometimes dramatic consequences for health, infrastructure and the environment. In order to better prepare cities for this growing challenge, the UN initiative Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) has now published a comprehensive “Urban Heat Risk Management Resource Package”. The package provides cities […]

The German Weather Service (DWD) launched the nationwide natural hazard portal on April 11. Citizens can now use the new platform to find out about impending natural hazards such as storms, floods or storm surges in their area in real time. The DWD wants to use this to warn and sensitize the population even better […]

The Newsletter of the Research Forum for Public Safety reports on the latest developments in security research. In this edition, you will gain insights into current projects and events. In recent months, the Research Forum has made exciting progress. The focus has been on psychosocial and organizational challenges during crises, as well as how society […]

On April 1, 2025, the German Weather Service (DWD) presented alarming results at its climate press conference regarding the accelerated warming in Germany. Since the 1960s, each decade has been warmer than the previous one, and the ten warmest years since measurements began have occurred in the last 25 years. Particularly concerning was 2024, which, […]

From October 9 to 11, 2025, FLORIAN will once again open its doors at MESSE DRESDEN, Germany, showcasing the latest technologies, products, and concepts for fire services, technical relief, emergency medical services, and civil protection and disaster control. Following a record-breaking edition last year—with over 370 exhibitors from 15 countries across more than 30,000 m² […]

The United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) has released its latest report Turning Over a New Leaf. This edition of the Interconnected Disaster Risks series not only asks what needs to change, but more importantly how true, transformative change can happen. Building on previous findings, the report identifies five essential steps […]

Five major aid organizations – ASB, DLRG, DRK, Johanniter and Malteser – are calling for far-reaching reforms in civil protection in a joint position paper. In the face of increasing natural disasters, they are pushing for integrated, nationwide crisis management that networks state, civil society and economic players. The organizations advocate joint training, standardized procedures […]

Thuringia’s Minister of the Interior, Georg Maier, believes that violence against emergency services is primarily a social problem. In an interview with the magazine Behörden Spiegel, he emphasizes that existing laws are sufficient and instead advocates education and campaigns such as “Respect the rescuers”. Thuringia is also pursuing its own path in civil protection: instead […]