Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering IESEDigital Solution for Disaster Management
When Every Minute Counts: New Research Project Improves Assistance for Vulnerable Populations
In the new research project DINKA (Data Interoperability in Disaster Management and Elderly Care), the German Red Cross (DRK) Rhineland-Palatinate and the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering IESE, together with other partners, are developing a digital platform that can save lives in an emergency. The goal is to provide emergency responders with critical information more quickly in the event of a disaster – especially in areas where people are particularly dependent on support. The DINKA project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs for a duration of two years. The official kick-off event took place on April 28, 2026, at the Southwest Palatinate District Administration.
Better Data for Rapid Assistance
People in need of care, the elderly, or those with limited mobility are among the most vulnerable groups and are highly dependent on rapid and targeted assistance in the event of a disaster. In practice, however, emergency responders often lack precisely the information that is crucial for effective support. In the DINKA research project, the project partners are developing a digital platform designed to close this gap. The goal is to process relevant data from care services, home emergency call systems, and other sources in such a way that it can be used quickly and effectively in the event of a disaster.
This can be crucial, especially during power outages, severe weather, or other crisis situations: By systematically compiling and providing information, emergency responders will, for the first time, have a solid foundation for identifying particularly vulnerable individuals early on and providing them with the care they need. In addition, the project creates an opportunity for vulnerable individuals living at home to voluntarily register – an important expansion, as this group has often not been known to emergency responders until now.
Data Processing and Technical Implementation in the Project
As the consortium leader, the DRK Rhineland-Palatinate Regional Association plays a central role in the project and will focus on the collection, structuring, and integration of medical and nursing data from various sources. In addition, based on application scenarios, the DRK will develop concepts for categorizing assistance and support needs as well as for user-oriented processing of this information for control centers and disaster response units.
“DINKA represents a true leap forward in innovation. With this project, we are building a digital bridge between care facilities and disaster response. This will allow us to create a reliable basis for decision-making from scattered information in an emergency and gain valuable time for saving lives,” said Manuel González, Executive Director of the DRK-Landesverbandes Rheinland-Pfalz e.V.
Fraunhofer IESE is contributing its expertise in the development of secure and interoperable software systems and is responsible for the technical system architecture as well as the implementation of the platform. A particular focus is on data protection and the secure processing of sensitive information to safeguard the rights of the individuals concerned.
“With our technological expertise, we ensure that the necessary data is available reliably, securely, and in compliance with data protection regulations in an emergency. In this way, we are making an important contribution to the digitalization and strengthening of disaster management,” explains Rolf van Lengen, project manager at Fraunhofer IESE.
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