Heat wave threatens weaker people: social associations demand immediate action!

Heat wave threatens weaker people: social associations demand immediate action!

Germany is currently experiencing an extreme heat wave, with temperatures reaching almost 40 degrees. The President of Caritas, Eva Welskop-Deffaa, calls for urgent renovations of old people's homes, daycare centers and hospitals to ensure the safety of vulnerable groups. She emphasizes that this is not a luxury, but rather serves to protect human lives. While the pandemic has to some extent faded into the background, the challenges posed by the climate crisis and the associated heat waves are more in focus.

The board of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, Eugen Brysch, criticizes the inadequate equipment in many nursing homes and clinics. The lack of external shading in particular endangers the health of patients and residents. The Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband points out that poorer sections of the population suffer particularly from the extreme temperatures, as many live in poorly insulated apartments. The association's climate protection expert, Xiaoyue Yeung, makes it clear that these circumstances contribute to the increased risk.

Focus on those in need and the elderly

Older, sick and homeless people are particularly at risk. Verena Bentele, President of the social association VdK, criticizes the inadequate preparation of many care facilities for extreme heat. It not only requires structural measures, but also training for staff to ensure effective heat protection. A comprehensive heat protection plan for nursing homes, hospitals and assisted living communities is considered essential.

Diakonie Deutschland also calls for public buildings to be opened to homeless people during heat periods. This is particularly crucial as the German Weather Service has issued heat warnings for large parts of the country. The social association VdK emphasizes that many care and health facilities are not well equipped to deal with the heat. The head of the German Hospital Association, Gerald Gaß, reports a lack of investment funds for air-conditioned rooms in many clinics.

Urgent need for action

Marlene Mann from the Federal Association of People's Solidarity reports on the gradual implementation of heat protection concepts in retirement homes. Nevertheless, funding programs for such measures are limited and often difficult to access, which further delays implementation. Clinics are currently relying on short-term solutions such as facade shading and ice packs, but this is not sufficient to address the health risks in such extreme weather.

Other dangers include inadequate heat protection measures in schools. Educational associations are therefore demanding that more be done in schools: green roofs and shade providers should be installed. Anja Bensinger-Stolze from the GEW also calls for free drinking water and safety training for teachers in order to better protect students. Gerhard Brand from the VBE sees the school authorities as having a duty to provide the necessary resources for heat protection.

In conclusion, it is urgent to drink enough water and avoid excessive exertion during the heatwave. The multitude of demands and the urgency of the measures make it clear how important it is now to invest in comprehensive heat protection in order to support weaker and vulnerable groups during this time. We currently have a responsibility to protect the health of all citizens from the dangers of extreme temperatures.

For more information read the reports from Deutschlandfunk and daily news.