The president of the German Caritas Association, Eva Welskop-Deffaa, has urged increased heat protection measures for individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly within railway stations. She also cautioned against growing calls for the removal of homeless populations, a trend observed in other countries.
Speaking to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Welskop-Deffaa highlighted the heightened vulnerability of people without stable housing during periods of extreme heat. “Without a home, they lack basic access to cool, safe shelters” she stated.
She acknowledged existing aid initiatives, such as mobile medical services and water distribution, but stressed the need for enhancing these provisions, specifically at transport hubs. Welskop-Deffaa suggested facilities like laundromats and community spaces could play a role in preventing health crises, mitigating deterioration and fostering public understanding towards those often marginalized within urban environments.
The Caritas President voiced concern over the potential for policies similar to those gaining traction in the United States – which have seen calls for the forced relocation of homeless individuals – to emerge within Germany.
The appeal comes as Germany experiences a significant increase in heat days linked to human-caused global warming. Since the 1950s, the average number of heat days per year has nearly tripled to around 11.5. Projections indicate that, without substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, cities like Berlin could see between 20 and 35 heat days annually between 2071 and 2100. Adherence to the goals of the Paris Agreement, however, could limit the annual average to between ten and sixteen heat days.
