Germany has committed $1.4 billion to support Holocaust survivors globally in the coming year, according to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference). This significant financial commitment, negotiated with Germany's finance ministry, underscores the ongoing need to care for aging survivors and address their increasing needs.
A substantial portion, $888.9 million, will be allocated to providing crucial home care and support services for frail and vulnerable survivors. Furthermore, the Hardship Fund Supplemental program will receive a $175 million boost, benefiting over 128,000 survivors worldwide. This program, initially a one-time payment during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended through 2027, recognizing the ongoing financial challenges faced by many survivors.
The Hardship Fund primarily assists survivors, largely Russian Jews, who were not in camps or ghettos and are ineligible for existing pension programs. These individuals often fled the Einsatzgruppen, Nazi mobile killing units responsible for murdering entire Jewish communities. The Claims Conference emphasizes that these payments, while symbolic, provide vital financial relief to these survivors who experienced immense loss and continue to face hardship.
The image depicts the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, a poignant reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
Recognizing the dwindling number of survivors, the Claims Conference also secured continued and increased funding for Holocaust education. This funding, extended for two years, will receive an annual increase of $3.3 million, reaching approximately $41.6 million in 2026 and $45 million in 2027. This commitment underscores the importance of remembering and learning from the past to prevent future atrocities.
Since 1952, the German government has paid over $90 billion in compensation to individuals for their suffering and losses due to Nazi persecution. In 2023, the Claims Conference expects to distribute hundreds of millions of dollars to over 200,000 survivors in 83 countries, in addition to allocating over $750 million in grants to more than 300 social service agencies worldwide. These agencies provide essential services for Holocaust survivors, including home care, food, and medicine.
With the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz approaching, the need to advocate for survivor care and compensation remains paramount. Each negotiation represents a crucial opportunity to ensure that Holocaust survivors receive a measure of justice and dignity. The Claims Conference remains committed to this vital work until the last survivor has passed.
