Bundesanstalt Technisches Hilfswerk (THW)

Federal Agency for Technical Relief

Across the world, the structure of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (Technisches Hilfswerk – THW) is unique: THW belongs to the department of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community. However, about 98 percent of the THW-members work on a voluntary basis for THW. Only two percent of the staff works full-time for the authority.

Nationwide about 88,000 volunteers commit themselves during their leisure time in 668 local sections in order to provide professional help to people in distress.

As an emergency organisation, THW can adapt to different disaster situations and scenarios. Modern equipment and well-trained specialists form the basis for its operative efficiency. This makes THW a reliable partner to fire brigades, the police and other aid organisations – in Germany, Europe and world wide. Over the past seven decades THW has been active in more than 140 countries, providing technical relief and support in the aftermath of disasters and to humanitarian aid projects.