Vienna shows solidarity: relief supplies for refugees on the Balkan route!

Vienna shows solidarity: relief supplies for refugees on the Balkan route!

Vienna shows its compassionate face again! In an impressive collection campaign, the 48ers, in collaboration with the SOS Balkan route, collected a total of 13 pallets full of relief goods for refugees at the EU's external borders. These donations include 100 sleeping bags, 200 blankets and over 1,000 items of clothing, including jackets and pants, that are vulnerable to winter conditions. Jürgen Czernhorsky, the Vienna City Councilor for Climate, Environment, Democracy and Human Resources, praised the commitment and underlined the need to help those who suffer from inhumane conditions. The relief supplies are scheduled to be transported to Bosnia in February Amerlinghaus reported.

Fight against the cold and brutality

The help comes at just the right time because the situation for refugees is tense. Many of them face extreme winter conditions and the brutality of pushbacks. “For most of us, it is hard to imagine what these donations mean for those affected who are stranded in lawless areas,” said Petar Rosandić, chairman of the SOS Balkan route. Since 2019, his organization has been building a network to actively provide aid in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which has already resulted in 71 aid transports with a total of 720 tons of relief goods. In addition to the urgently needed clothing, people can hope for further support through day centers and a kitchen. These activities are a strong sign of solidarity at a time when politics often fails Vienna.gv.at emphasized.

This year marks a critical moment, as it is the fifth winter in a row where such initiatives are essential. Austria does not remain idle! On December 17, 2023, another collection campaign will take place in the Brunnenpassage to collect even more life-saving relief supplies. The organizers are asking for support in the form of sleeping bags, blankets and warm clothing. This shows not only deep compassion, but also a determination to fight against increasingly unbridled asylum policies.