To protect the homeless from the heat, volunteers from the church’s social welfare Diakonie Midnight Bus in the Blue Community / Blue City of Hamburg are distributing water and, for the first time, suncream. They are out on the streets of the German city every night.
The heat is particularly dangerous for the homeless, says Diakonie Hamburg. They often have no direct access to drinking water, are exposed to the sun without protection and are at high risk of skin cancer.
“In hot temperatures, we give our guests sealable water containers so that they can stay hydrated during the day,” says Sonja Norgall, project manager of the Midnight Bus. The Midnight Bus provides water to up to 200 guests per night. Leaflets are also distributed with the location of public water dispensers so that people can fetch water themselves. Still, it is important for the public to be aware: “If you think you see a homeless person on the street, please ask if they need water,” says Norgall.
