The President of the German Red Cross, Rudolf Seiters, urged the industrial countries to spend more money and to pool their support for people in distress. However, he pointed out that a lot remained to be done not only in the international context, but that it was absolutely necessary to tackle problems in Germany as well:

"That may be surprising in a rich country, but that’s how it is. It affects people with migrant backgrounds, it affects people in families with drug and alcohol problems, it affects persons with disabilities and others. I believe the problem has already been recognized. We have got a dramatic upheaval in the age structure of populations, the situation of long-term care facilities and care management for the growing number of old and seriously ill persons. It is perhaps the biggest social challenge we are facing right now. In the context of the European Year of Equal Opportunities 2007 I would therefore like to stress the importance of promoting equality and reducing discrimination."