German fund for aging survivors reaches $1B

The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany this week announced an agreement under which the German government will provide approximately $1 billion over four years for homecare for Jewish Holocaust victims.

“We are seeing Germany’s continued commitment to fulfill its historic obligation to Nazi victims,” said Claims Conference Special Negotiator Stuart Eizenstat. “This ensures that Holocaust survivors, now in their final years, can be confident that we are endeavoring to help them live in dignity, after their early life was filled with indescribable tragedy and trauma. This is all the more impressive since it comes at a time of budget austerity in Germany.”

“Our commitment to advocating for Holocaust victims has never wavered. Through constant discussions with the German government, we have attained a groundbreaking agreement that will help tens of thousands of elderly survivors for years to come,” said Claims Conference Executive Vice President Greg Schneider.

The government agreed, in its talks with the Claims Conference, to provide 205 million euros ($266 million) in 2015 – an increase of 45 percent over 2014; $273 million for 2016 and $280 million for 2017. The previously agreed-upon amount for 2014 is approximately $185 million, an increase of $15 million over 2013 funding.

Thus, taken together, this historic agreement is a commitment of approximately $1 billion for homecare funding for 2014 through 2017.

In 2013, the Claims Conference is supporting homecare for 56,000 Holocaust victims around the world. Based on the organization’s assessments, the need has not yet peaked, as all the survivors who remain alive are increasingly elderly, with many growing more frail and vulnerable.

The Claims Conference has worked extensively with the German Ministry of Finance to provide comprehensive data regarding the current and projected needs of Nazi victims. In addition to the 56,000 Nazi victims who are receiving Claims Conference-funded homecare, there are an additional 90,000 Holocaust survivors worldwide who receive other welfare services such as food, medicine, socialization programs and transportation from the Claims Conference.

Several other significant agreements were reached.