DEG makes donation towards care packages for homeless people in Cologne

People without a permanent roof over their heads are in particularly dire straits at the moment because staying at home is not an option for them. With the B.O.J.E. advice bus provided by youth welfare organisation Auf Achse, there is still a contact point for them at Cologne Central Station during the coronavirus crisis. As Cordula Götz, Regional Director of Auf Achse, explains: “Particularly for people who are lacking key stabilising structures in their lives, this service is extremely important”. In order to alleviate the current situation for those affected, Auf Achse is also distributing care packages at the B.O.J.E. bus. DEG is donating EUR 7,400 towards this initiative.

Care for people without permanent residence

The B.O.J.E. bus is still open at the moment but visitors are attended to in front of the vehicle rather than inside it. There are drinks and fruit and the mobile medical service continues to pay its visits. Hand-washing facilities are also available.

Auf Achse is a long-standing partner to DEG: since 2005, for instance, it has given financial support to the B.O.J.E. advice bus, to the UPSTAIRS organisation for providing accommodation at short notice for young people in need, and to programmes for refugee children and young people.

Visitors to B.O.J.E. are to be closely involved in deciding what should go into the new care packages. “At the moment, for example, there is a greater need for fruit and hygiene articles for homeless people than for hot meals.”

Cordula Götz: “Accordingly, we are now distributing wish lists to determine what is most needed – this might be soap, clothing (because charity shops and clothing banks are closed), a sleeping bag or even comics and packs of cards to play with.”

Further Information

Auf Achse (only avaiable in German)