Central contact point for victims of terrorist attacks and major incidents and their relatives

The attack on 19 December 2016 at the Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz changed this city. It became clear how important the victims’ perspective is and how crucial the coordination of the various psychosocial and financial services is. The State of Berlin has set up a central coordination point with the Victim Protection and Victim Assistance Unit.

We work to ensure that those affected get all state and non-state support in the best possible way and we also develop our own – in particular psychosocial – offers.

In the event of a terrorist attack in Berlin, we coordinate the respective support offers closely with the Federal Commissioner for Victims. In the event of terrorist attacks abroad, we cooperate accordingly with the coordination office for follow-up care, aid to victims and relatives (German: Nachsorge, Opfer- und Angehörigenhilfe (NOAH) of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Aid (BBK).

We are guided by a comprehensive concept of those affected: Anyone whose physical or psychological integrity was directly or indirectly affected by the attack is affected. This broad term thus covers directly injured persons as well as relatives, survivors, missing persons, eyewitnesses and first responders.

We are constantly expanding the network so that Berliners can access the good support services in the best possible way. The numerous attacks in Germany and abroad are both a reminder and a mandate for the state of Berlin.