Tuesday, February 3
Berlin’s Kältehilfe, an organisation that offers homeless people an unbureaucratic overnight stay during the winter, is expanding its capacities, considering that the low temperatures in Berlin risk the lives of the homeless.
Sabrina Niemietz, from the coordination office of the Kältehilfe, signaled a willingness to extend the opening hours and provide additional accommodation. Now, around 1,200 emergency overnight places are available in Berlin.
With temperatures reaching minus 10 this week, it is a tense situation, but Niemietz says she has also noticed support from Berlin’s population. In one case, someone paid for homeless people’s Uber trips to one of their accommodations.
The cold buses are also in high demand. However, people should be aware that before calling a cold bus, they should ask if the person concerned wants it first, as they do not always desire help.
For those who want to help, Berliners can donate clothes and inform themselves via the Kältehilfe website about where and how to donate.
