Drama in Erfurt: Fire in the old slaughterhouse leaves homeless people without refuge!

Drama in Erfurt: Fire in the old slaughterhouse leaves homeless people without refuge!

A devastating fire has transformed the old slaughterhouse in Erfurt into a rubble field and dramatically tightened the situation for the local homeless. On Tuesday, June 17th, the fire broke out, the black column of smoke was visible for miles. The fire brigade was in use for over 24 hours to extinguish the flames, but the consequences are serious. The site, once a refuge for homeless people, has now been completely destroyed, such as thueringingen24.de reports.

For years, around 40 homeless people camped on the 22,000 square meter area. This only consists of walls of the former buildings, while roofs are badly damaged. There is broken glass and garbage everywhere, which has turned the former refuge into a dangerous terrain. Many of these people have lost everything - their sleeping bags, clothing and personal belongings. Caritas director Philipp Nitsche expressed that this loss was not only material, but also emotionally for those affected.

acute emergency aid and transitional accommodation

The city administration of Erfurt is aware of the critical situation and has already started to get in touch with those affected. Mayor Heike Langguth is looking for a new area for the remaining homeless people who have nothing more after the fire. A temporary solution in the form of a lawn within a run -size to the old area is checked. Mobile toilets and possibly tents could be set up here. Nevertheless, specific information about the city's immediate help measures is missing, which also makes the situation complicated. There are secure offers in homeless homes such as the "House of Refuge", but these are often bound to rules that are not acceptable for all homeless people. Langguth demands low -threshold offers that meet the needs of people.

The city also looks outside and examines concepts from other cities, such as tent cities or simple wooden houses, to offer the homeless people a decent accommodation. In the meantime, the search for suitable sleeping places continues, whereby there are even dangers through physical remains and half -covered shafts on the premises - a dangerous place for the most vulnerable of our society.

A look at the homeless people in Germany

The sad reality of homelessness is not only limited to Erfurt. According to the national action plan for overcoming homelessness, which was decided by the federal government on April 24, 2024, the federal, state, municipalities, civil society and business must work together to improve the situation by 2030. At the moment, an estimated 531,600 people in Germany are homeless - an alarming number that signals a need for action. In addition, the Federal Government has planned record investments in the social housing of 21.65 billion euros between 2022 and 2028. A brilliant plan, but the implementation of which takes time, while people such as the homeless people like the old slaughterhouse in Erfurt urgently need help, such as [bmwsb.bund.de] (https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/webs/bmwsb/themen/stadt-wohnenlos/nap- against apartments is.

In the coming time, a lot will have to change if the city and society want to offer the homeless people a new, safe home. The reconstruction of the former slaughterhouse area should include a market hall, apartments and a school campus by 2029 at the latest - but until then, those affected temporarily need opportunities to be able to live a decent life. Caritas asks for solidarity and donations to help those who have lost everything. There is a lot to do, and there is actually something.