When the inflation rate in Germany moved towards double digits in autumn 2022, and prices for food and energy in particular rose sharply, the Saarland state government set up the “WinterAktion Saar” aid program: it provided 1.7 million euros to support welfare and To support social organizations in helping people at risk of poverty.
In so-called winter cafés, people with a small income or a small pension could eat something, warm up and chat with others. They received packages with food, hygiene products and blankets at special distribution points. There were also advisory services.
The demand and need were so great that the program was launched again the following year, worth one million euros. But another new edition is not planned, writes the Ministry of Social Affairs upon request.
Offers must be scaled back
This has an impact on many associations involved. The program made it possible to expand their offering, which has to be scaled back, says Caritas in Saarland. Other organizations did this too.
This is noticeable for the warming room in Saarbrücken. For the establishment on Trierer Straße, the loss of the winter café means an increase in the number of guests in their establishment, writes managing director Hermann Schell. The program helped to unbundle the concentration on individual providers in the urban area.
Permanent support structures should be built
However, the discontinuation of the program does not mean that the state government has removed the issue of poverty from the agenda. Rather, permanent aid structures should be set up in order to reduce poverty in Saarland. “The financial resources will be used for the structural development of neighborhood-related poverty reduction, the further development of assistance for the homeless and projects to combat poverty,” explains the ministry.
This is expressly welcomed by Diakonie Saar. The winter campaign helped to compensate for particular emergencies in the short term. In the medium term, however, it is not suitable for improving the living conditions of financially poor people.
All associations and the ministry agree: The increase in poverty among people in Saarland is a problem that requires sustainable solutions.
The SR info news also reported on this topic on the radio on December 22nd, 2024.
