Compensation for child survivors
CHILD Holocaust survivors in Australia are set to benefit from the establishment of a landmark $250 million fund agreed to between the Claims Conference and German Government.
CHILD Holocaust survivors in Australia are set to benefit from the establishment of a landmark $250 million fund agreed to between the Claims Conference and German Government.
The joint fund will provide support to survivors around the world who lived under Nazi occupation and will enable them to receive symbolic financial compensation for the traumas suffered during their childhood.
Eligible survivors will receive a special one-time payment of 2500 Euros (approximately A$3,580) for psychological and medical care.
“Ultimately, these payments represent acknowledgment of the special needs of those who endured the Shoah as children, especially 70 years later,” Claims Conference president Julius Berman said.
Claims Conference executive vice president Greg Schneider added: “The suffering endured by these young Nazi victims, including devastating separation from parents at a critical time in a child’s development, as well as witnessing unimaginable atrocities, deprivation from proper nutrition, and a range of injurious experiences has had a cumulative effect and are resulting in late-onset problems that only now are manifesting as physical and psychological symptoms in the survivors’ advanced age.”
The new fund has been welcomed by both Jewish Care in Melbourne and JewishCare in Sydney.
Magali Kaplan, Holocaust survivor support program manager at Jewish Care in Melbourne, said the organisation was “extremely pleased” with the development.
“While the fund has not yet commenced, we are actively liaising with the Claims Conference in order to clarify the eligibility and application process,” she said.
“As soon as the process is clarified, Jewish Care will be seeking to assist all relevant applicants with information and support.”
She added: “There are an estimated 3350 Holocaust survivors living in Victoria, and Jewish Care is honoured to play a role in assisting them to obtain compensation and supports.
“Jewish Care will continue to advocate tirelessly to the Claims Conference to help secure the necessary resources to support these precious elders in our community to access services that ensure dignified care.”
JewishCare (Sydney) manager of Community Aged Services, Keith Brown, said: “JewishCare welcomes this agreement which could assist many members of our community.
“I would encourage anyone who may be eligible or wants more information to consult the Claims Conference website [www.claimscon.org] and especially Frequently Asked Questions.
“If there are further questions members of the community should feel free to contact JewishCare’s Restitution Officer.”
The fund is expected to become operational on January 1, 2015, and details will be made available after approval by the German Bundestag and the Claims Conference.
Survivors born on January 1, 1928 or later, and who were in concentration camps, ghettos, or for at least six months under Nazi occupation (or 12 months in Nazi Axis countries), in hiding or under false identity, will be eligible to receive the payment.
Melbourne survivors in need of support should contact Jewish Care on (03) 8517 5999. In Sydney contact JewishCare Firstcall on 1300 133 660.
GARETH NARUNSKY
Photo: Claims Conference.
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