Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - North Rhine-Westphalia's Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) has called on the population to show solidarity and humanity. "Humanity - that's a trademark of our country," said Wüst on Sunday in his New Year's speech, the text of which was distributed in advance. The solidarity is also shown in the help for the people from Ukraine who fled from the Russian bomb terror. Among them are many women and small children. "Humanity is our answer to the inhuman brutality of this war."
Wüst thanked all those people who committed themselves to others, especially the staff in hospitals. "First Corona - hard work often to the point of exhaustion," said the head of government. "And currently high levels of sickness and again heavy burdens from an exceptionally large number of sick people."
Wüst also named climate protection as a common task. Climate change is already noticeable to everyone today, for example due to the flood disaster in 2021 with 49 deaths in NRW alone, but also due to the months of dry forests and brown meadows last summer. "We will combine climate protection and industry in North Rhine-Westphalia," said Wüst. This creates prosperity and secure jobs in the future.
Wüst also called for help for people of all ages who suffer from loneliness. "We can all, we all should, do more to bring others out of their loneliness as often as possible." It doesn't take that much effort - for example, with a kind word, an invitation or a conversation. "You can also lend a hand so that no one is left behind," appealed Wüst. "Togetherness and humanity will also help us to master the challenges of the new year well."
The New Year's speech in the homeless initiative "Gast-Haus instead of a bank" in Dortmund was recorded.
