At the start of the BZ’s Christmas campaign, the BZ spoke to Kerstin Schlechtendahl and Jochen Hilpert from the German Red Cross about the situation of those who have been particularly affected by Corona.
Corona, war, inflation: how can those who are most weakened be strengthened in times of permanent crisis? With this task for all of society, the BZ Christmas greetings campaign also wants to launch a small sign of solidarity. Anja Bochtler spoke to Jochen Hilpert and Kerstin Schlechtendahl from the German Red Cross (DRK), cooperation partner of the BZ.
BZ: One crisis follows another: what are the consequences for those who have already had a difficult time?
Hilpert: The rising cost of living is having a major impact right now. In August 2022, cooking oil prices were 49% higher than in August of the previous year, and for dairy products, the increase was 29%. However, the rates for Unemployment Benefit II and basic security, small income and pensions have remained the same. Therefore, we expect more requests from people to contact Christmas Wish Campaign for support. Even before the current inflation, applications have increased steadily in recent years, in 2022 it was ten percent more than in 2021. This means that 800 new applicants have been added. Fortunately, donations have continued to grow.
Villain Endahl: We’re not done with Corona yet, plus war and the growing number of people fleeing. This creates a lot of uncertainty. And then there is inflation. High energy prices are the big topic everyone is talking about. But in our work we experience that the people we deal with have other daily costs that affect them at least as much.
BZ: How exactly is this reflected in the work areas of the DRK?
Villain Endahl: Colleagues in the family’s socio-educational support department say families, who have always struggled to make ends meet, are now having to save even more. This means, for example, that healthy eating suffers because you can buy less fresh stuff. And, of course, social participation is shrinking even more. Now, for many, the already rare visit to the cinema or swimming pool is no longer necessary. As far as energy prices are concerned, there is a lot of uncertainty about electricity costs. Heating costs are covered for people with unemployment benefit II or basic security, as is the rent, but everyone has to pay for the electricity themselves. Naturally, this becomes a problem given the low amounts these people are receiving.
Action BZ Christmas Greetings
donation account Sparkasse Freiburg-Nordlicher Breisgau, IBAN: DE77680501010002399506, BIC: FRSPDE66XXX. Keyword “Christmas greetings campaign”.
Targeted donations are not possible, everything goes into one pot, from which grants are then distributed.
BZ: To what extent does the relief provided by the policy reach those most dependent on support?
Villain Endahl: Not everything comes with them. Families living on unemployment benefit II or basic security are not helped by the increase in family allowances. Family allowances are deducted from their rates, they get nothing out of it. Higher tax breaks only benefit the highest earners, they are irrelevant for small incomes. Of course, even small pensions are always a problem. An aged care colleague told me that a woman in the assisted living facility had bought an extra sleeping bag to better avoid the high heating costs.
BZ: What can DRK do, besides anything that’s already running?
Hilpert: The financial situation of aid organizations is also uncertain. However, we try to start projects at local level in the social area which strengthen cohesion. We are convinced that the socio-political strengthening of non-statutory welfare is particularly important in a moment of precariousness of people like the one we are experiencing.
Villain Endahl: For example, we started the cold bus for the homeless last winter. This time we want to give away vouchers for the DRK clothing store as part of the Christmas greetings campaign. And we helped with the catering for the gastronomic meeting.
BZ: How do you think the mood of crisis in society as a whole will affect the Christmas greeting campaign?
Hilpert: In the past, there has been the positive development that the willingness to donate has grown with the number of applications. This is a sign of hope. We depend on it again this year. It’s so important not to cut corners with the most vulnerable people.
Villain Endahl: A typical feature of the Christmas greetings campaign is that the support goes directly to the people. And these people are incredibly grateful, as can be seen, for example, in the beautiful letters and drawings we receive from children.
Jochen Hilpert, 55 years old, he was originally a baker, then studied social work and later did a business administration education. He joined DRK in 2000, became managing director of DRK in Emmendingen in 2008 and has been managing director of DRK in Freiburg since 2018.
