Caritas Vienna starts Winternothilfe: More places and support for homeless people

Von WOM

The cold season has reached Vienna and Caritas started its Winternothilfe for homeless on October 29. This initiative includes significantly expanded support for the city's needy population, including additional sleeping places and comprehensive street work offers.

The management of Caritas, represented by Klaus Schwertner, emphasizes the urgency of these measures: "Even completed temperatures above freezing can be life -threatening". Therefore, a greatly improved winter service for homeless people who often suffer from extreme conditions is provided. Schwertner explains that the need for help is to ensure the safety and survival of people on the street.

130 Additional emergency district spots

In cooperation with the Social Eas Vienna (FSW) fund (FSW), Caritas can offer 134 additional places that complement the existing 1,880 accommodations. These places in emergency sleeping points and houses not only offer a place to sleep, but also meals and advice. This support is heated by private and public donations that are decisive for the continued existence of these aid measures.

Caritas has also activated the Caritas cold telephone again. This free telephone number, 01/480 4553, is available around the clock. If someone sees a homeless person, it is called not to look away and use the number to provide quick help.

This is a clear message from Susanne Peter, the senior social worker who encourages all citizens to become active.

heat rooms and more

In addition, Caritas opens over 40 heat rooms in Vienna and the surrounding area in cooperation with various parishes. These places offer homeless and poverty people a pleasant environment for warming up, whereby they are also supplied with small snacks and drinks by volunteers.

In order to ensure even more comprehensive support, interested parties can also help from home by helping them via the platform. These donations can be used for warm meals, soups for the Canisibus or ceilings to provide support to the needy in the cool season. The donations are accepted via the account number with the IBAN: AT47 2011 1890 8900 0000 and the BIC: Gibaatwwwxxx, whereby the "Winterothilfe" donation purpose should be given.

It remains important to always use the rescue number 144 in medical emergencies to ensure that nobody remains awkward in a critical Situation. The Caritas initiative shows how many people in Vienna who are dependent on support can find a safe and warm place through community campaigns and solid use of the population.