Knocking instead of clanging: Helpers in the Southwest on the move - Berlin’s relief teams race to aid residents amid freezing power outage
A major power outage in southwestern Berlin has prompted a large-scale relief effort. Since around 4 January 2026, organisations like Malteser (MHD), DRK, ASB, JUH, and DLRG have been assisting residents in areas such as Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, and Wannsee. Teams are providing transport, care stations, and psychosocial support, but no single leader has been named to coordinate the charity’s response.
With door buzzers in some buildings failing due to the outage, helpers are knocking on doors to check on residents. The approach has been well received, as many face freezing indoor temperatures of just 7–8 degrees Celsius. Volunteers are also handing out flyers with details of emergency shelters and phone charging points.
Regulatory offices, police, and aid workers—including reinforcements from Neukölln and Friedrichshain—are supporting teams in Steglitz-Zehlendorf. The goal is to reach those without internet, electricity, or working phones. Residents can book shelter or hotel rooms to escape the cold while repairs continue. Malteser and other groups remain actively involved in transport, care, and psychosocial support. Their efforts focus on ensuring no one is left without help during the prolonged disruption.
The outage has pushed relief teams to adapt, using door-to-door visits and printed materials to connect with affected households. With temperatures dangerously low, the provision of shelters and charging stations offers immediate relief. The response will continue until power is fully restored in the impacted areas.
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