The flood disaster aggravated the already scarce supply of blood reserves in the summer months.
The damaged infrastructure in the affected areas in Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia will prevent blood donation appointments there for the foreseeable future, the Hessian Ministry of Social Affairs announced in Wiesbaden on Thursday.
Every working day in Germany at least 15,000 blood donations would have to be received in order to be able to care for seriously ill patients in clinics without any gaps.
Against restrictions for gays and bisexuals
"I ask everyone who can and is allowed to donate blood and to help ensure that the blood supply continues to be guaranteed," said Minister Kai Klose (Die Grünen).
He also emphasized the demand that restrictions on homosexual and bisexual men should be ended.
They are currently only allowed to donate blood if they have not had sex with a man for at least twelve months.