Cold alarm in Essen: Homeless fights for survival in the event of minus degrees!

Cold alarm in Essen: Homeless fights for survival in the event of minus degrees!

In the downtown Essen in the Ruhr area, homeless people are fighting for minus degrees with the extreme cold conditions. Tobi Bischof, 31 years old, sleeps in a house entrance, where he tries to survive the night in flip -flops and with woolen blankets. Tobi, who begs for money for food, rejects help and says: "I get along." His situation is symptomatic of the challenges that the homeless people look for in this cold season. Steffi Löhr, a medical assistant, warns of the increased need for medical care among the homeless, as colds can quickly develop into serious illnesses such as pneumonia. In this strict winter, the overnight places for younger homeless people are often quickly occupied.

Frank, a 30-year-old man who has just been released from custody, is also dependent on help. In an emergency sleeping point, he receives breakfast and winter clothing, including fleece hat and socks, as well as an isolate for the night. Due to his addiction, he is allowed to move into the addiction aid facility, which is very overloaded - a maximum of 15 places are offered here, and strict rules, such as no drug use, further restrict the possibilities of substance addicts. Sleeping bags are currently not available, and the situation in the “Raum 58” overnight stay is also tense because minors have a priority and many older teenagers are rejected.

health risks and necessary support

Winter conditions bring considerable health risks with it. Hypothermia, a potentially fatal state caused by a dangerously low body temperature, is a great risk of homeless people. Symptoms include tremors, fatigue and, in the worst case, loss of consciousness. In addition, frostbite is a serious threat, with the extremities often affected. A lack of medical care and the need to stay in overcrowded and often unsanitary accommodation, increase the risk of respiratory diseases that increase significantly in the cold season. Therefore, it is essential to provide homeless people not only emergency accommodation, but also warm clothing and medical care.

The overload of existing institutions not only leads to stress, but also to dismissions, which forces many homeless people to sleep outside, where they are exposed to further dangers. A barrier -free access to emergency shelters often remains an unfulfilled wish. Many are denied access due to drug use or missing ID cards.

help offers and networks

To help the affected people, numerous organizations in the region have mobilized their resources. Warm meals and clothing are provided by local groups, while mobile auxiliary services offer medical support directly on site. The cooperation between different aid organizations also contributes to the effectiveness of these measures. Public relations and donation campaigns are necessary to raise awareness of the challenges of homeless people and to promote the commitment of the community.

awareness of the special challenges of specific groups, such as women or young people, is crucial. These groups often need specific support offers to find safer accommodations and to receive access to basic health care. Prevention of homelessness through housing programs and psychosocial care is also essential to support endangered people in good time.

The country has provided additional funds to make homeless people in need with the most necessary and to alleviate the winter challenges. Nevertheless, a long -term solution is still required. The public is called up to become active and to promote cooperation between government agencies, NGOs and civil society in order to meet the most urgent needs of the homeless in the region. For more information about the circumstances and support options you will find here , here and here .