Almost $17m to help survivors
The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) has announced the allocation of US$720 million to more than 300 social welfare organizations globally to support home care and supportive services for frail and vulnerable Holocaust survivors.
The President of the Claims Conference Gideon Taylor said, “We are proud to announce this significant allocation at a time when these funds are critical, due to the age, poverty and increasing disability of our waning survivor population, and as they also continue to face the ongoing uncertainty and threat of COVID-19. We know these funds provide vital support during these difficult times.”
In recent years, during negotiations with the German government, the Claims Conference pressed the urgent need to increase home care funding for Holocaust survivors both in the United States and across the globe. The new allocations are distributed to social welfare organizations in regions where significant numbers of survivors live, to ensure vital services, such as home care, medical care, emergency assistance and food are available for Holocaust survivors in those regions. Funds for these vital services provide a critical lifeline to frail, elderly Holocaust survivors in need around the world, enabling them to live out their remaining days in the dignity that was stolen from them in their youth.
Greg Schneider, Claims Conference Executive Vice President, added: “Survivors will be supported wherever they live, whether war-torn areas or conflict zones, and no matter the obstacle. Whether in the face of the ongoing pandemic, issues of inflation, or threat of war, we are committed to providing home care, food and medicine to elderly poor Holocaust survivors. We will continue to fight for more year after year to ensure every survivor has the care they deserve.”
A$16,772,547 have been allocated to Australia with JewishCare NSW in Sydney receiving A$3,233,015, Jewish Care Victoria in Melbourne – A$13,384, 532 and COA Sydney Incorporated – A$155,000 (food only).
J-Wire sent questions to all three organisations. Jewish Care told us they have asked one of their staff to respond but nothing received as yet. The JewishCare and COA in Sydney had not responded at publishing time.
