emergency aid / defense of others
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emergency aid
Immediate help and support for people who are in an acute emergency, for example after natural disasters, in wars, or in accidents.
Hilfsorganisationen leisteten nach dem Hurrikan Nothilfe für die obdachlos gewordenen Familien.
Aid organizations provided emergency aid for the families left homeless after the hurricane.
The word is composed of 'Not' (a situation of great danger or difficulty) and 'Hilfe' (help). So it literally means 'help in an emergency situation.'
Nach der Überschwemmung war schnelle Nothilfe nötig.
After the flood, quick emergency aid was necessary.
The meaning depends strongly on the context. In connection with disasters, war, or aid organizations, it means humanitarian aid. In the context of an attack on a person, it refers to the legal term.
Das Rote Kreuz organisiert die Nothilfe für die Erdbebenopfer.
The Red Cross is organizing emergency aid for the earthquake victims.
In the meaning 'humanitarian aid,' the verb 'leisten' (to provide/render) is almost always used. The fixed phrase is 'Nothilfe leisten' (to provide emergency aid).
Viele Freiwillige reisten in die Region, um Nothilfe zu leisten.
Many volunteers traveled to the region to provide emergency aid.
This meaning is a technical term from legal studies. In this context, the formulation 'in Nothilfe handeln' (to act in defense of others) is often used.
Der Zeuge handelte in Nothilfe, als er den Dieb stoppte.
The witness acted in defense of others when he stopped the thief.
help
'die Hilfe' and 'die Nothilfe' both mean support, but they differ in urgency. 'Hilfe' is general and can fit small or large situations. 'Nothilfe' is used when people are in an acute emergency and need immediate support, for example after an accident or a disaster. In legal language, 'Nothilfe' can also mean protecting another person against an attack. The words can be confused because 'Nothilfe' is a special form of 'Hilfe'. If no acute danger or emergency is meant, 'Hilfe' is usually correct.
Nach dem Erdbeben organisiert die Stadt schnelle Nothilfe für die betroffenen Familien.
After the earthquake, the city organizes rapid emergency aid for the affected families.
Daniel bittet am Bahnhof um Hilfe, weil er seinen Anschlusszug nicht findet.
Daniel asks for help at the train station because he cannot find his connecting train.