Helping the homeless: look out for those in need in cold weather
The cold season is particularly difficult - and sometimes dangerous - for homeless people. As temperatures drop, the Federal Working Group for Homeless Assistance is urging people to look out for people in need of help and to alert the emergency services if necessary. "We are calling on all citizens not to look away and to report people who are outdoors and whose lives are threatened by the cold and weather," Managing Director Werena Rosenke told dpa. "In urgent cases, please call the emergency number 112 immediately," she appealed.
"Living completely without shelter, i.e. homeless on the street, under bridges, in condemned buildings or similar shelters, is always dangerous," she said. "Autumn and winter are of course a particular challenge, because many people who live homeless on the street are in poor health, often chronically ill, making them a particularly vulnerable group."
The association has long been calling for the establishment of cold weather buses, the round-the-clock opening of emergency overnight shelters and day shelters, additional premises and the suspension of forced evictions in winter. "Every involuntarily homeless person in Germany has a right to proper accommodation by the local authority in which they are staying," said Rosenke.
Despite the challenging social affairs surrounding poverty, aid organizations can play a significant role during emergencies caused by extreme weather conditions. These organizations can provide essential aid to the homeless, ensuring their basic needs are met and providing temporary shelter during such emergencies.
Source: www.dpa.com
