Contemporary witnesses @museum.de

Helping people in times of need, shaping society. The German Red Cross is part of an international movement. It helps where people are unable to help themselves. Without volunteers, it wouldn’t be able to fulfil its mission. Every year, around 70 million hours are worked by volunteers all over Germany. Take a look at the large posters next to the entrance, where the Red Cross Museum pays tribute to the work of Christoph Müller and Professor Joachim Gardemann – in place of all the people who give their time voluntarily.
Professor Gardemann, a paediatrician, provided assistance after the earthquakes in China in 2008, and in Haiti in 2010. Following the devastating tsunami in Indonesia, Christoph Müller worked from 2006 to 2009 to coordinate the building of 14,000 houses with special earthquake and tsunami protection.

The posters in the window recesses illustrate the efforts of volunteers during the Covid-19 pandemic. One example: in February 2020, 122 people returned to Germany from the Chinese city of Wuhan. Nobody knew if they were infected with the Corona virus or not. They all went into quarantine for two weeks.

While the aircraft was still en route to Germany, Red Cross volunteers in the Palatinate readied an unoccupied building that was part of a German army barracks.

“That same evening, we welcomed the first returnees,” reported Kai Falke. He runs the German Red Cross district emergency response, and was one of 22 volunteers who looked after the returnees. He even went into isolation himself. His family supported him. They’re also Red Cross volunteers. “It’s what we live for”, was their comment.

Next, we’re heading down the stairs to the ground floor. In the stairwell, there are more stories of people’s involvement in the organisation. You’ll discover plenty of exciting examples.