Attacks on the homeless - Red Cross President Creator: "It's horrible!"

2023-08-20 08:41:26

After the bloody deeds, Red Cross President Gerald Creator calls for civil courage and solidarity, and the Red Cross is expanding its range of assistance

Vienna (OTS) – Rising living costs, inflation, ongoing and past crises create major social challenges. This causes an increasing number of people in need in Austria, not least of whom are homeless people. Homelessness has become an increasing issue due to tragic incidents.

In the past few weeks, there have been several knife attacks on homeless people in Vienna, which have also resulted in deaths. The police suspect a serial killer and the investigation is ongoing. As a first reaction, the Red Cross expanded the offers for the homeless in the federal capital. This week, for example, the Red Cross branch in Vienna opened the Haus Baumgarten emergency quarters (Baumgartnerhöhe, Pavilion 35, 1140 Vienna), where additional sleeping places are provided for the homeless.

Red Cross President Creator calls for humanity and solidarity

“The attacks on homeless people in Vienna are shocking. They meet people who are particularly vulnerable and in need of protection due to their social situation. It is appalling that such incidents are happening in the midst of our society,” said Red Cross President Gerald Creator, concerned about the incidents. “The progressive division of society into rich and poor is a sad fact. The Red Cross works for people who are affected by poverty, social isolation, social exclusion and violence.”

Creator recalls universal values when dealing with people in need: “Humanity must always come first. Help your fellow human beings whenever possible. Even small gestures can have a big impact. Also show solidarity and moral courage if you become aware of grievances. It is better to look too much than too little. With your reaction you can save lives.”

This is how the Red Cross helps

The Red Cross provides numerous social services for people in need. Spontaneous help offers short-term support for financial problems. If the supply of food is no longer affordable, the food aid of Team Austria Tafel can be used. In the federal capital of Vienna, homeless people can stay in the day center “Das Stern” during the day, as well as advice and support. The Hermes House of Opportunities and the Henriette House are other care options for the homeless.

The services at a glance:

Spontaneous help: quick and individual advice, information about legal entitlements, networking with other care facilities and one-time financial and material bridging aid (More information: Individual spontaneous help – Red Cross)
Food aid from Team Austria Tafel: Distribution of free food to people in difficult financial circumstances (More information: Team Austria Tafel – Red Cross)
Social support: support with organizational and other everyday challenges (More information: Social support – Red Cross)
Day center “Das Stern”: Counseling center for the homeless on and around the Praterstern. It offers more than 500 square meters of daytime accommodation for 85 homeless people. The people affected are advised and cared for in the “Stern”.
Opportunity houses “Hermes” and “Henriette” (More information: Opportunity house Hermes – Red Cross or. House Henriette – Red Cross)
Winter emergency quarters Haus Baumgarten: After the attacks on the homeless, now already open in summer, ten additional sleeping places are made available here (More information on the winter emergency quarters: Winter Emergency Quarters – Red Cross)