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Ukraine: Tafel criticize insufficient help for refugees

Ukraine: Tafel criticize insufficient help for refugees

Germany’s food banks are currently experiencing an enormous rush. Many Ukrainian war refugees are also among those seeking help. That’s why there’s criticism.

The Tafel in Germany accuse the authorities of sometimes giving too little direct support to Ukrainian war refugees.

“It is unacceptable that the authorities are still referring refugees to the boards in the fourth month of the war instead of being able to help themselves,” said the chairman of the Germany board, Jochen Brühl, the German Press Agency.

Some social welfare offices sent refugees directly to the food banks without prior consultation, said Brühl. Others would help the people directly – for example with money or food vouchers – until the social benefits to which they are entitled were paid out.

Brühl: Can’t be the first point of contact

The panels themselves could only provide “bridging and supplementary” support. “We do our best to help in crisis situations, but we cannot be the first and only point of contact,” emphasized Brühl. If the authorities refer people directly to the food banks, then the misunderstanding arises that they are responsible for providing people affected by poverty with food. However, panels are a voluntary additional offer, not a state institution.

On request, the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs also called the panels a “supplementary, charitable offer from civil society to people with financial problems”. This also applies to refugees from Ukraine. Since June 1, they have had access to the minimum income according to Book II of the Social Code.

Ministry wants to promote staff training

In addition, panels are places of encounter, the ministry continues. That is why a project by the Tafeln is also being supported, in which the employees are to be trained for discussions. According to the ministry, you should talk to people who ask for food. The employees should thus be better able to inform those affected about social benefit entitlements and to support them. “Ultimately, the actual utilization of existing social benefit entitlements also contributes to relieving the burden on the boards,” said the ministry spokeswoman.

Many food banks have recently experienced a high level of demand nationwide due to the Ukraine war, rising food prices and higher energy costs. A number of them have already imposed freezes on admissions.

Source: Stern

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