Duisburg streetworkers provide heat relief as officials debate social welfare reform

In Duisburg, the association ‘Gemeinsam gegen Kälte’ is providing essential aid to homeless individuals struggling with extreme summer heat. Streetworkers Susanne Wittenborn and Volker Hirschfeld use a mobile unit to distribute water, food, sunscreen, and light clothing to up to 70 people daily. They report that many individuals suffer from dehydration and that current funding from North Rhine-Westphalia and private donations is insufficient to meet the growing need.

Separately, municipal politicians in the Ruhrgebiet are calling for increased federal action against social welfare abuse. While the Federal Employment Agency has begun establishing a central competence center to analyze data, local leaders in Hagen and Gelsenkirchen argue that more decisive local structures and a comprehensive national strategy are required. They have expressed disappointment regarding the delay of a federal action plan intended to combat exploitation and benefit misuse.