Caritas area manager

“The cold brings the next flood of refugees”

According to Christian Eile, head of the Caritas department of Menschen in Not, Europe - including Austria - is facing a flood of war refugees. Not just because of the war itself, but because of the cold and lack of heating. 

"Krone": Mr. Eile, the war in Ukraine is far from over as things stand. Will refugees continue to come to Austria and Carinthia?
Christian Eile: We have to expect that. Not because of the war itself, but because of the destruction of civilian infrastructure. All the heating plants were bombed. There is no or hardly any heat or electricity supply - and now it's getting cold, winter is coming. People are already living in cold homes. People seeking help in Poland or Moldova are also flocking to us because the accommodation there is usually not winter-proof.

So do we have to expect an influx? 
 It's impossible to give a figure, that would be guesswork. What I can say is that the fears at federal and state level are great and that there will be a lot of movement!

The Ukrainian refugees will come to us in winter and will continue to need our help very urgently.

Ernst Sandriesser, Caritas-Direktor

What challenges will we then have to contend with or are we prepared for them? 
 The country lacks basic accommodation. We currently have around 3,600 refugees here, and according to the federal government we would have to take in 5,900. That's how many places there were in the 2016 refugee year. However, accommodation has since been closed again. Carinthia is therefore virtually unprepared. In addition, there are hardly any suitable framework conditions. The accommodation provider should be better supported by the state. A higher daily rate per refugee, currently 25 euros, has long been demanded. Then there is the price explosion. It is understandable that hardly anyone currently wants to make their business available to refugees.

The majority of war refugees want to return home, is that also the case at the moment?
Many have returned to Ukraine, but then come back to us because the war continues. Labor market data also shows that many Ukrainians apply for jobs here. So it can take years for them to make their way back home. Some, on the other hand, want to start a new life with us.

Caritas continues to collect donations. What is currently needed? 
 Warm clothing, donations in kind and money. Not only for refugees, but also for local people in need and the homeless.

The Caritas cold telephone is also active again.
From November 1. If you see homeless people, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0463/39 60 60. They also urgently need help and warmth!