[The Humanitarian Charter and minimum standards in humanitarian response are applicable in German refugee facilities].

BACKGROUND: In recent refugee migration into Germany the responsibilities and reactions of health authorities are still lacking general co-ordination.

PROBLEM: Can the ethical and technical standards of international humanitarian assistance serve as an appropriate and even a compulsory guideline for relief agencies, public health and regulatory authorities in Germany?

METHODS: Documents from the field of medical ethics, medical law, international humanitarian law and disaster medicine will be examined and checked for practicability by consulting experiences during the 1990s Balkan wars refugee movement and international missions of relief agencies.

RESULTS: Ethical and technical standards of international humanitarian assistance have been developed, improved and evaluated for 20 years, and are valuable tools for emergency management.

CONCLUSIONS: Victims of disaster or conflict have a right to live in dignity and therefore have a right to receive health care according to international standards. International ethical and technical standards for refugees should be considered in the Federal Republic of Germany like in any other country.