BERLIN

Nearly 3 million children in Germany are living in poor families as the country’s cost of living crisis is pushing more parents into poverty, according to children's charity Arche.

“More and more people are coming to us, asking for support,” Bernd Siggelkow, the charity’s founder, told Anadolu Agency, voicing regret that authorities are not doing enough to address the problem.

“It seems that nobody will do anything until a child dies of hunger in Germany. Authorities should act now, they shouldn’t wait for next year,” he said.

“There’s not enough support for poor people. The food banks aren’t accepting any more people,” he said.

Arche’s facilities in Germany are supporting thousands of poor families and their children. They’re helping to meet the basic needs of children, providing both hot, cooked meals and educational support.

Siggelkow said rising energy prices and inflation are making it difficult for families to afford basic needs and that more and more people are contacting his charity seeking support for their children.

“Prices are rising, and in fact, this started last spring. Since then many families aren’t able to cope with this,” he said. “Many people are working for low wages. The rich are getting richer and the poor poorer.”

Going without breakfast

Germany’s inflation rate hit 7.5% in July, and analysts say that in the coming months it could reach a 70-year high of 10%.

Households will have to pay around €3,500 ($3,500) for gas this winter -- nearly three times what they paid last year, according to estimates.

Siggelkow said poor families are looking for ways to cut spending and that the crisis has had a dramatic effect on children.

“If prices keep going up like this, more and more children will go to school without having any breakfast,” he said.

“The coronavirus crisis already had a negative impact – children are even more disconnected than before. Inflation is now leaving parents more in despair,” he added.

The state’s support program for unemployed parents and poor families is not enough to meet basic needs, according to Siggelkow. There needs to be more serious measures, like waiving VAT on food items for at least six months.

“I think our country lacks leadership,” he said with frustration. “Politicians are hiding when it comes to important issues. They talk and talk, but they don't act.”

Siggelkow underlined that urgent action is needed and that authorities should immediately boost support for unemployed parents and poor families and children.

“I hope they see that we have a problem of child poverty in this country, and that the number of children affected is growing. We have to do something,” he said. “We have to do something for them, and I mean today, we can’t wait any longer.”