Frankfurt acts: Heat protection for homeless people with water and support

Frankfurt acts: Heat protection for homeless people with water and support

The city of Frankfurt takes the oppressive summer heat seriously: special measures are being taken to offer support to homeless people in the city. In view of the persistently high temperatures, water is increasingly being provided, and there are also caps and umbrellas for sun protection. However, the offers of help go far beyond simply supplying water. Homeless people who sought shelter in the emergency shelter at Eschenheimer Tor last night were not alone. 104 people found refuge there, while breakfast and refreshing drinks as well as water bottles for the day were distributed in the café, as rheinmainverlag reports.

The heat bus, which travels through the city between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., is always on the move. Employees support 41 homeless men and seven women in finding safe accommodation. During the day, social workers are active in the city and help those affected to protect themselves from the heat. The measures have been in full swing since Sunday, and Elke Voitl, head of the social and health department, is calling on the population to be attentive and, if necessary, to contact the heat bus on 069/431414. In an emergency you can also dial 112.

A network of help

The networking of social providers is crucial for the relief measures. Caritas and Diakonie work closely with social workers on behalf of the city to help homeless people. The help is organized decentrally in the summer; water is distributed, for example, in day care centers for homeless people. The Johanniter have also been doing valuable outreach work for 30 years, providing homeless people in the station district with water and home-made meals. Voitl emphasizes the importance of these collaborations and the need to make people aware of their own needs by encouraging them to wear loose clothing and stay in the shade.

The concerns about homeless people are more than justified given the extreme temperatures. As a report shows, around 531,600 people live in Germany without a permanent address, of which around 47,300 live on the streets. This group of people is particularly at risk: they often lack access to medical care and the basic things that are important for self-care, such as hydration or protection against illness. Sabine Bösing, managing director of the Federal Working Group for Homeless Assistance, warns of the health problems that can arise from the high heat, especially considering that many of these people have previous illnesses or struggle with addictions.

Minimize health risks

In this context, the city's measures maintain the pressure to minimize the health risks for homeless people. In addition to providing water and shade, publicly accessible showers and year-round emergency shelters are important. Cansın Köktürk, social policy spokeswoman for the Left Party in the Bundestag, is calling for additional financial aid from the federal government and emphasizes that the poorest sections of society are first affected by extreme heat. Critical voices are also calling for a heat protection fund at the federal level to provide even better protection for the vulnerable group.

The city of Frankfurt does not only have a responsibility in the summer - these efforts must also be continued beyond the warm months in order to create a safe environment for everyone, not only in the cold but also in the heat. The need for comprehensive support and the fact that help must be provided are clear. It is now clear at the latest: a good hand in social work can be crucial for the health and well-being of the most vulnerable members of our society.