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Temperatures are decreasing every night in Strasbourg, and the number of people on the streets continues to increase. The city associations work tirelessly to help the most vulnerable, through solidarity marauding. What is the situation as winter approaches?
In 2020, La Nuit de la solidarité noted a lack of 1,000 accommodation places in Strasbourg. A year later, Gabrielle Ripplinger, director of the Cloche Grand Est estimated at 600 the number of people still without an accommodation solution. Despite initiatives by the city to open emergency accommodation, it is clear that precariousness is still very present in Strasbourg.
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A worrying situation
The Strasbourg associations are observing an increase in homeless people and the difficulties that have worsened with the health crisis, whether in terms of accommodation solutions, social support, or even daily needs.
Anaïs Rostaqi, volunteer at the Sunday Marauding, specifies: “There are more and more people on the street, new faces that we see marauding, whether they are families, young people or other isolated people. The impact of the health crisis does not help us get them out of there, for example there are pregnant women on the streets, because there is no more room in emergency accommodation. ” People who were able to be accommodated in hotels or other emergency devices at the start of the health crisis, but who currently find themselves without solutions, following cuts in funding and resources put in place.
“The situation has exploded since this summer in terms of the number of arrivals, the number of asylum requests too… As for emergencies, the 115 estimates 1,900 calls per week. » reports Guillaume Keller, social worker at Strasbourg Action Solidarité. A massive number of requests for an increasingly saturated system … Local associations are mobilizing more to compensate for the lack of the State, through a “Solidarity and citizen chain, trying to find solutions, such as paying for a hotel or other to accommodate these people. There is a real oblivion of our friends on the street. » notes Anaïs Rostaqi.
How to act?
As an individual, everyone can contribute at their own level, be it financial, material, human … Indeed, winter is a harsh period for homeless people (even if the summer is just as difficult with in particular the summer closure of reception facilities), whether in terms of housing, and basic needs. . Valérie Suzan, president of Strasbourg Action Solidarité notes : « There is a great need for sleeping bags, quilts, tents, blankets, even though we have not even attacked the winter season! “
You can sort your cupboards to give warm textiles (sweaters, coats, gloves, hats, socks, blankets) in order to allow people in great precariousness to cope with the freezing temperatures that are coming. Hygiene products such as soap, toothpaste, shampoo, razors and toothbrushes are also in high demand.
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Cooking for associations which can then redistribute meals to the homeless is also a good way to show solidarity. La Maraude du Dimanche regularly looks for warm textiles and hygiene products, as well as volunteer cooks for their solidarity actions.
On an ad hoc or regular basis, everyone can get involved at the associative level. A call for volunteers was launched on social networks by Bus shelters who distributes hot meals on bus tours several times a week. On its Facebook page, Strasbourg Action Solidarité regularly relays calls for textile donations. Anaïs Rostaqi recalls “ qu do not hesitate to contact associations to ask their needs and lend them a hand, if you wish to help them directly in the field. We can also send small messages of encouragement, financially support the fundraisers of associations, or share appeals for donations from associations on social networks. “
Every little bit counts, and associations need support and visibility.
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To keep up to date and support local associations :
La Maraude du Dimanche Facebook page
Strasbourg Action Solidarité Facebook page
Facebook page of La Cloche Grand Est
Lucie Bousquet
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