Dealing with people from the Ukraine shows that an uncomplicated admission is possible, says Director Hermann Sollfrank. But work, social benefits and integration offers should be open to all refugees.
The Caritas Association of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising faces major challenges. Director Hermann Sollfrank spoke of “a severe stress test” in view of the Ukraine war, rising energy costs and the pandemic. In particular, Sollfrank looks at the many Ukrainians who have fled to Germany. The solidarity and dealing with them show that it is possible “to treat displaced persons humanely, to take them in and integrate them quickly and easily”. He also refers to the European Union’s Mass Influx Directive. This enables people from Ukraine to take part in the labor market, integration courses or health services in Germany without going through an asylum procedure.
So far, however, this regulation has only applied to refugees from Ukraine, which is why Caritas is critical: “There must be no two-tier treatment of people fleeing,” demands Sollfrank. Refugees from countries such as Rwanda, Afghanistan and Syria should be respected and treated equally. Caritas’ demands on politicians are therefore clear: every refugee should be able to work in Germany, receive social benefits and integration offers or be allowed to bring their families to Germany. Improved integration is also a great opportunity for the labor market. The shortage of staff in kindergartens or care facilities is enormous, so for Sollfrank the motto must be “foreigners in”.
Rising inflation threatens middle class
Germany is also dependent on immigration so that “we don’t lose our prosperity,” explains Sollfrank. Nevertheless, Caritas fears that more and more people will have financial problems in the future. The reasons are rising energy costs and high inflation. According to Caritas, around 14 million people are already living in and on the verge of poverty. Increasing trend – also in Munich. Gabriele Stark-Angermeier, director of the Caritas association, reported that people who would soon be insolvent reported daily.
In the Antonius kitchen in the Glockenbachviertel, demand increased from 100 to 200 servings a day from March to April 2021. 250 meals will be served today. According to Caritas, this is the logistical maximum. Financial problems could soon have many more citizens. It “increasingly affects the middle class, from which more and more people are in danger of slipping away,” says Stark-Angermeier. Caritas is trying to help everyone, but more support is needed. While electricity prices rose, wages and benefits stayed the same. This is where politics come into play.
Caritas is also critical of how the pandemic is being dealt with. Here Stark-Angermeier calls for more uniform regulations for all of Bavaria. In addition, politicians should already be thinking about the Corona rules and not only when the school year begins. Then Caritas, as the operator of daycare centers and old people’s homes, could react in good time.