Technische Hilfswerk (THW)

THW is the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief responsible for civil protection and humanitarian aid.

Across the world, the structure of THW is unique: As a Federal agency, THW belongs to the department of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. However, only one percent of the staff works full-time for the authority. 99 percent of the THW-members work on a voluntary basis for THW.

Nationwide more than 80,000 volunteers commit themselves during their leisure time in 668 local sections in order to provide professional help to people in distress.

THW flexibly adapts its structures to changing threat situations. Modern equipment and well-trained specialists are the basis of its high efficiency.