“The demand for our help has increased enormously in the last few days,” emphasized Klaus Schwertner, Caritas director of the Archdiocese of Vienna, in a broadcast on Thursday.
The sub-zero temperatures of the past few days and nights have “significantly worsened” the situation for homeless people. “The cold can be life-threatening for everyone who is currently still sleeping on the streets. Our motto must therefore continue to be: the colder, the more help,” said Schwertner.
The City of Vienna, the Vienna Social Fund and aid organizations have recently responded to the icy cold and created additional sleeping spaces. “But even if there are enough places to sleep, as is currently the case, there are always people who continue to sleep on the streets for various reasons. This makes it all the more important that we reach these people with our mobile help,” said the Caritas director.
Donations are urgently requested
To ensure that winter emergency aid continues to be possible, Caritas is urgently asking for donations in kind and money. “Without support, a large part of our help would not be possible,” said Schwertner. Due to the icy temperatures of the last few days, the donation warehouses are increasingly emptying. That’s why Caritas continued to ask “to support us with a crypt winter package for 70 euros and thus provide those affected with a winter-proof sleeping bag and seven warm meals.”
Donations in kind such as warm woolen blankets and clothing such as winter jackets, long underwear and thick socks are also urgently needed. Caritas has set up five drop-off points in Vienna for this purpose. Donations can be dropped off at two Carlas, the crypt or the Streetwork office at the Belt Arches. Warm clothing such as jackets, hats, scarves, etc. can also be brought to the open clothes rack in front of the Caritas goat shop.
Cold telephone – you can get help here
- In Linz The B37 association takes care of the street work on behalf of the municipality. Contact: Association B37, Telephone: 0732/77 67 67-560, Email: [email protected] – Tue, Thu & Fri, (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) -1. November 31st March.
- In Wien The cold telephone can be reached on 01/480 45 53 from midnight to midnight. All other refrigeration telephone numbers in the federal states are below www.caritas.at/kaeltetelefon available.
