What is administrative assistance?

The Bundeswehr is particularly visible for the German population when it supports civilian organisations in the event of natural disasters or grave accidents. These support services are collectively referred to as “administrative assistance and disaster relief”. Article 35 of the Basic Law requires all authorities at the federal and state levels to provide administrative assistance to each other; this also applies to the Bundeswehr.

Forest fires, snow disasters, floods, grave accidents, pandemic response measures or refugee relief – there is a wide range of scenarios that may require support from the Bundeswehr. If their capacities are overwhelmed, the Bundeswehr supports organisations such as the police, the fire brigades, the THWTechnisches Hilfswerk (Federal Agency for Technical Relief) or the public health offices. It is important to note, however, that the Bundeswehr can only take action when requested by another authority. In view of the special rules which apply, every request must be individually assessed. If the request is granted, the armed forces can support the civil authorities – primarily with personnel and technical equipment. In this regard, it must always be taken into account whether suitable resources are available and if the basic legal requirements have been met.

Operations remain under civilian control

Administrative assistance operations carried out by the Bundeswehr are always coordinated and controlled by civil authorities. During the assistance operation, the military forces are under the command of the Bundeswehr Joint Force Command, regardless of whether they are part of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force or another element of the Bundeswehr.

To receive requests for administrative assistance, the Bundeswehr has established a nationwide network of reliable contact points that can also give advice on specific support services. The initial contact points for Germany’s federal states are the 16 regional territorial commands at the locations of the respective federal state governments. Their task is to facilitate support throughout the federal state. They receive regional assistance from 31 liaison teams in the administrative districts and from the regional authorities. In addition, there are 404 liaison elements in rural and urban districts that can be called if Bundeswehr assistance is requested in smaller local areas.

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