Help under the corrugated iron roof: street workers fight against the cold
Help under the corrugated iron roof: street workers fight against the cold
On January 30, 2025, Jürgen Michel, an experienced street worker at the Schächtel e.V. association in Koblenz, conducts an important mission. With his cold bus, who is homeless people, he is on a rainy Monday evening. The bus not only offers warm food, coffee and water, but also sleeping bags for those in need. Michel has an open ear for the stories of the people he meets and focuses on seeing those who live in dark corners and underpasses.
in Koblenz, Michel appreciates the number of homeless people to around 500, with the relationship between men and women about 3: 1. The situation is particularly challenging for women who often try not to attract attention and are particularly at risk. That evening he meets Sonja, who lives under a corrugated iron roof. She set up her warehouse in a residential area. Michel talks to her about her life, and Sonja explains how important the help of the club is for her. For them, the warm food is not just a source of food, but a piece of security in their uncertain everyday life.
The challenges on the street
Michel, who has been a street worker since 1999 and also works as a surveying technician, is constantly faced with the challenges that bring cold and mental illnesses. These problems are not only stressful for homeless people themselves, but also for social workers who often do not know how they can help. He remembers a homeless person who died shortly before New Year's Eve, which emotionally affected him.
The Kaltbus runs regularly, and Michel reports about Gerald, a 53-year-old man who lost his apartment during the Corona pandemic. Gerald is hoping to get back into professional life and to be able to lead a normal life. Many homeless people, Michel, want nothing more than having an apartment and work in order to be able to live an independent life again.
offers of help and prevention
Health risks for homeless people increase significantly in winter. Humanization and frostbite are serious threats that are reinforced by lack of accommodation and cold nights. Respiratory diseases also increase during this time. The quality of the emergency accommodation is often insufficient and leads to many homeless people sleep outside, which exposes further dangers such as violence and theft. Therefore, an appropriate care structure and prevention of homelessness is urgently required.
In order to improve the situation sustainably, in addition to the offer of warm meals, access to medical services and psychosocial support are crucial. Cooperations between different organizations strengthen the efficiency of help and create a network that better achieves homeless people.
In summary, it can be said that the challenges in dealing with homelessness, especially in the cold season, require immense attention and commitment. Not only by the social workers and aid organizations, but also from society as a whole.| Details | |
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