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Berlin Activates Emergency Cold Measures as Temperatures Drop to −12°C

Officials urge residents to use Kältehilfe hotlines or emergency numbers to report vulnerable people.

Overview

  • The Senate opened 100 additional emergency overnight places, with shelters reporting more than 90% occupancy and strong uptake, according to Social Senator Cansel Kiziltepe.
  • Berliner Stadtmission converted the Bahnhof Zoo night café into a temporary shelter from Friday evening to Monday morning after existing facilities reached capacity.
  • Mobile outreach is fully deployed: up to three Kältebusse operate from 20:00 to 02:00 based on public tips, and two DRK Wärmebusse provide clothing, food and support.
  • Authorities state all cold-help buses are in service and report no nighttime police removals from warm locations, citing coordination with police, BVG and other agencies.
  • Residents are advised to speak with people before calling the Kältebus, use the Kältehilfe app or hotlines, and dial 110 or 112 if someone is unresponsive; charities estimate about 6,000 people live on Berlin’s streets.