Alexandra Oxacelay, director of the Stëmm vun der Strooss, said the priority was to continue serving meals. However, as many of those in the process of professional reintegration are among the vulnerable, they can no longer work in the kitchen to prepare food.
In the meantime, the organisation is relying on volunteers, many of whom are clients themselves. Working together alongside regular staff, these volunteers are keeping operations going and staying off the street.
The association has managed to maintain a catering service at the usual rate, serving around 280 meals in Hollerich and 80 in Esch-sur-Alzette. Arnaud Watelet, administrator of the Stëmm vun der Strooss, said the response from the homeless has been very warm and grateful for the hot meals. He also pointed out there was very little litter and all was functioning in accordance with instructions.
However, the closure or reduction of non-essential services such as access to showers, hairdressers or therapeutic workshops, has created some problems. Oxacelay explained showers, changing rooms, medical consultations had been shut and people were not allowed to gather on the premises. The organisation is considering solutions in order to safely maintain these services. Police were called out on Wednesday night after someone broke into the building to take a shower, but Oxacelay specified they did not press charges.
Unfortunately, the organisation is lacking masks and hand sanitiser, but it is enforcing strict hand-washing and other hygiene measures.
Watelet added that all barrier measures were being applied and respected. The organisation is no stranger to people with serious illnesses, regularly supporting patients with hepatitis, AIDS, tuberculosis or scabies, so they were used to drastic hygiene measures.
A particular concern for the Stëmm vun der Strooss teams is the end of the Wanteraktioun on March 31. Organised by Caritas in premises located near Findel, the winter initiative has been offered to the homeless from 1 December 2019 to 31 March 2020. In general, the number of people requiring assistance doubles from 1 April once the Wanteraktioun comes to an end. Oxacelay said closing the doors on 31 March was a dubious decision during a health crisis as it would effectively force more homeless to sleep outside.
The association's team explained that an extension is in talks at government level.
