Record temperatures in Czechia prompt calls for summer protection of homeless
Many people have been suffering from the heat here in the Czech Republic, with all-time record temperatures registered on consecutive days at the end of last week. One group particularly at risk in such extreme weather are the homeless community.
Like much of Europe, Czechia has recently been hit by an intense heatwave. A new temperature record was set on Saturday, only to be followed the next day by yet another all-time high: 41.9 degrees Celsius.
While the oppressive heat makes life unpleasant for many, it represents a genuine danger to one group in particular: the homeless community.
Jan Desenský is director of the Bohemia branch of the charity the Salvation Army, which does a lot of work to help people without stable housing.
“During prolonged heat waves, the risk to life and health clearly increases. We often encounter homeless people suffering from dehydration, exhaustion or the worsening of chronic illnesses. The homeless population is aging and there are people on the streets with serious health conditions – and they are therefore at greater risk. They have fewer opportunities to find shade or to be in air-conditioned spaces, which makes them a vulnerable group.”
Up to now, street workers in Czechia have had to protect the homeless when temperatures fall well below zero in winter. But global warming means clients’ lives are today in danger during two times of the year, Jan Desenský told Czech Radio.
“Climate change is fundamentally altering the nature of our material assistance to those experiencing homelessness. Our focus now is on distributing drinking water and cooling items. Monitoring people on the streets is equally crucial. Just as we make sure people don’t freeze to death outside in the winter, we’re now protecting them from severe dehydration in the summer.”
The Salvation Army would like to see the authorities in Prague and other major urban centres take appropriate action when the mercury rises particularly high.
“This is a trend that experts, city leaders and society as a whole must get on board with. Cities today have robust plans for the winter months; for example, when temperatures drop, Prague increases the capacity of its shelters, opens 24-hour centers, and expands its outreach programs. In future we will need a similar plan for the summer months.”
Jan Desenský says Czechia could draw inspiration from states more used to high temperatures in this regard.
“In the West, for example in Spain, so-called ‘cooling centers’ are already becoming commonplace. These don’t need to be social service facilities; they can be air-conditioned public spaces, such as libraries, where people who lack their own means of cooling down can take refuge and we can ensure they don’t become dehydrated. Basically, we’re going to have to start viewing summer as a crisis period just like winter.”
