“Mothers are queuing at night” – Häupl emotional because of poverty – Austria News
Michael Häupl helped with the annual food collection on the Day Against Poverty. In a Spar-Gourmet branch in Hietzing, together with Tanja Wehsely, managing director of Volkshilfe Wien, he organized products in shopping trolleys that were given to people in need (video above).
I am “Today”-Talk, the former mayor of Vienna raises the alarm: “We don’t have nearly as many vouchers and food packages as we could distribute and that hurts a lot.”
Read more: Inflation in Vienna – “Mothers cry when food is served”
“That’s awful”
“Years ago I was still talking about the fear of impoverishment in the middle class spreading, today it’s reality,” the 73-year-old sums up.
In the last few weeks, the number of people seeking help with the food distribution of Volkshilfe has risen massively. “When mothers stand in line at night to get a food package and are possibly turned away, it’s terrible,” he struggles to regain his composure.
“Shame in a country like Austria”
The former mayor makes it clear: “Budget discussions are currently taking place in Parliament. With 200 million euros, child poverty in Austria could be completely eradicated, which should actually be worth it to us.”
The introduction of a basic child security and an increase in the rent subsidy is necessary. “Child poverty is a disgrace in a country like Austria,” says Häupl.