Deceased in Thailand

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Helmut Kutin during a "Krone" interview in 2021.

(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

Great sadness at SOS Children's Villages International: Helmut Kutin, former President and until recently Honorary President of the organization in Austria, passed away on Tuesday in a hospital in Thailand.

"It is with deep sadness that we would like to inform you that our dear President Kutin passed away peacefully at 10.24 a.m. Bangkok time while in intensive care," reads a message from SOS Children's Villages Thailand, which is available to the "Krone".

As a boy himself in SOS Children's Villages
Born on October 4, 1941 in Bolzano, Helmut Kutin was admitted to the world's first SOS Children's Village in Imst, Tyrol, in 1953 following a family tragedy. In 1985, Kutin succeeded SOS Children's Villages founder Hermann Gmeiner as President of SOS Children's Villages International and SOS Children's Villages Austria.

Helmut Kutin in the year 2021.

(Bild: Christof Birbaumer / Kronenzeitung)

Kutin was President of SOS Children's Villages International until 2012. He was then appointed Honorary President of SOS Children's Villages Austria in 2017.

One thing became clear to me during all my travels: a child's greatest need is not belonging to anyone. The lack of education, food and clothing is easier for a child to bear than being alone, without a home, without belonging.

Helmut Kutin

Development during his term of office
"At the beginning of his presidency, there were 233 SOS Children's Villages worldwide and almost 400 affiliated facilities in 85 countries. Today, SOS Children's Villages is active in 135 countries with 571 SOS Children's Villages and more than 1,300 affiliated facilities and programs (kindergartens, schools, youth centers, social and vocational training centers, family strengthening and emergency aid programs)," according to the SOS Children's Villages website.

We are grateful for his tireless commitment and his work for SOS Children's Villages.

Christian Moser, Geschäftsführer von SOS-Kinderdorf in Österreich

"The entire SOS Children's Villages world mourns the loss of Helmut Kutin, who shaped the development of SOS Children's Villages for decades as President and a strong leading figure," Christian Moser, Managing Director of SOS Children's Villages in Austria, was quoted as saying in a press release on Tuesday. Kutin had dedicated his entire life to a single task - helping children in need. "We are grateful for his tireless commitment and his work for SOS Children's Villages," said Moser.