Caritas Vienna: Record number of auxiliary calls in cold winter 2025

Caritas Vienna: Record number of auxiliary calls in cold winter 2025

Wien, Österreich - The Winterothilfe of Caritas of the Archdiocese of Vienna has drawn a record balance this winter. The initiative, which has been active since the beginning of November, turned out to be vital for many homeless people, despite milder temperatures. Caritas director Klaus Schwertner emphasizes that the cold season is the hardest for homeless people, since mild temperatures can already be life -threatening. The goal of Caritas is clear: no one should freeze on the streets of Vienna.

In cooperation with other aid organizations, the city of Vienna and over 1,300 volunteers, a comprehensive network was built up for support. Caritas also offers a refrigeration telephone that can be reached around the clock, which has been available on 01/480 45 53 since October 29.

statistics on auxiliary performance

Since the beginning of the winter aid, over 9,920 calls have been made on the refrigeration telephone. This shows the high need for support. 90 volunteers were actively involved in accepting these calls. In addition, the help teams managed to convey more than 400 acute homeless people into emergency quarters and to supply hundreds of people with sleeping bags, warm clothes and blankets.

Caritas has created over 2,010 emergency quarters in Vienna, including 130 additional places this winter. In addition, the supply in the "Gruft" homeless facility was improved, where around 36,000 meals have been spent since November and warm beds were offered over 8,200 times. There were also more than 1,000 volunteers in the heat rooms who recorded a total of 20,500 visits.

medical support and other offers

The medical care of homeless people was also prioritized. The Louisebus carried out more than 2,644 treatments and took care of 990 people. In addition, the Canisibus, a soup bus, distributed around 39,000 warm meals to the needy.

Schwertner reports of a "record winter" in help for homeless people. In view of the increased increased demand for help due to record inflation and inflation, Caritas's offers of help are more urgent than ever. In order to meet the challenges of the homeless situation, Caritas appeals to the population to continue to provide donations and report homeless people.

Despite the unprecedented efforts that will continue until the end of April, homelessness remains an urgent topic in summer. The increasing rental and energy prices increase the pressure on the corresponding population groups, while the number of delogings rose by 20 percent last year. Long -term structural reforms in the field of social assistance and rental support are therefore urgently necessary to take the homelessness sustainably.