The carol singers visited Van der Bellen

Van der Bellen acknowledged the exemplary commitment of the carol singers. “The funds from the collection will be used to help people around the world whose poverty has been made worse by the climate crisis, pandemic and inflation,” said the President, according to the broadcast of the Epiphany campaign by the Catholic youth group.

The head of state thanked “the carol singers for their commitment during the holiday season and the people in Austria who are making donations to ensure that the Epiphany campaign will be successful this year as well. This cohesion and the cooperation of all people are particularly important in times of crisis particularly important.”

A total of 85,000 children dressed up as Kaspar, Melchior and Balthasar are out and about across Austria until January 8th, going from door to door singing and asking for support for around 500 aid projects of the Epiphany campaign in poor regions of the world every year. Even the corona pandemic has not deterred those involved in the past two years and they have found new ways to reach people through hygiene measures and online offers, said the Federal President on his website.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that we can only solve the major global problems together as a human family,” explained Teresa Millesi from the Catholic youth group behind the Epiphany Campaign. The honorary federal chairman formulated effective measures against global warming as a special concern. It is important to reduce CO2 emissions significantly in order to prevent a climate catastrophe that would otherwise threaten the survival of future generations, said Millesi.

This year’s model project of the carol singers campaign supports pastoral peoples in northern Kenya, who are already being dramatically affected by the drought, as a negative impact of the climate crisis. Donations to the carol singers campaign ensure clean water, improve the food situation and generate income for families. Shepherd children, who take care of the flocks during the day, learn reading, writing and arithmetic in special evening schools.

As a symbol, Van der Bellen was given a large photo of a woman with a child from Samburu, Kenya. The picture is representative of many people who are supported with donations from carol singers. Furthermore, FAIRTRADE products and beneficial carol singer tea were delivered.