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Berlin (dpa) - In view of the severe winter weather, aid organizations in Germany are drawing attention to the life-threatening situation of the homeless.
The coronavirus pandemic exacerbates the situation, as it was called by the Diakonie, the welfare association of the Protestant churches.
"For reasons of hygiene, the facilities cannot be occupied as they were in the times before Corona - we know of cases in which those affected avoid emergency accommodation for fear of corona infection," explained Sandra Schuhmann, board member at Diakonisches Werk Bayern, on Tuesday in Nuremberg .
The Diakonie therefore called on the municipalities to open emergency shelters continuously and also to use other buildings such as gyms or empty hotels.
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In many places, helpers have stepped up their efforts for the homeless and provide those in need with warm food, drinks, clothing, sleeping clothes and hygiene items.
In Berlin, Kaltehilfe currently has 1,426 places available for the homeless - more than ever before.
"It's a new brand, but it is also necessary because the conditions have tightened considerably," said the spokesman for the Berlin social administration, Stefan Strauss, on Tuesday of the German press agency.
Due to the corona crisis, many opportunities to warm up or earn money have disappeared.
Add to that the extreme cold.
In Hanover, needy people have been allowed to stay in the adult education center during the day since Tuesday.
“The premises are available from 7.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. every day of the week,” said a city spokeswoman.
The offer is initially valid until February 13th and was made possible by the willingness of volunteers.
The Diakonie thanked for the social commitment in many cities and communities.
"But I also ask all fellow citizens to be vigilant and to dial the emergency number if you have the impression that someone is about to freeze to death," said spokesman for the Diakonie in Lower Saxony, Hans-Joachim Lenke.
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Communication from Diakonie Bayern