Local non-profit organisation HUT - Hëllef um Terrain has provided an update just over a month after its launch in Luxembourg.
The entity took over the national activities of Caritas in October 2024, in the wake of the latter's embezzlement scandal.
HUT - Hëllef um Terrain confirmed that national aid services have all been provided to beneficiaries. These services are aimed at homeless people, people living in precarious situations and exclusion, refugees and migrants, as well as children, young people and their families. The partnerships set up to ensure provision of these services have all been signed, in particular with government ministries, municipalities and other national players in the field of social assistance. HUT - Hëllef um Terrain added that the staff involved in the various services have been in action for a month, working "with commitment and motivation". The teams are now defining new projects, with the aim remaining to "help people in need as much as possible".
HUT - Hëllef um Terrain has joined the Spëndchen association which manages the BUTTEK social grocery store purchasing centre and the national collection and sorting centre, of which the Luxembourg Red Cross is also a member. The grocery stores in Luxembourg City, Rédange-sur-Attert, Diekirch and Esch-sur-Alzette are open to people in need, the entity said. HUT - Hëllef um Terrain added that a partnership is being finalised with the City of Esch-sur-Alzette to strengthen the social grocery store there, which has a "large number" of beneficiaries.
Moreover, HUT - Hëllef um Terrain has joined the Dräieck asbl which manages the "Wanteraktioun" (winter humanitarian initiative for homeless people) on behalf of Luxembourg's Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, and which also includes the Luxembourg Red Cross and Inter-Actions. The Wanteraktioun will begin on Friday 15 November 2024. The HUT - Hëllef um Terrain team will manage the night shelter until 15 April 2025.
HUT - Hëllef um Terrain said it plans to join other organisations and platforms in the "near future" to strengthen its mission to help the most disadvantaged members of society.
In terms of financial support, the entity can now count not only on its founding members, including the Fondation Félix Chomé and the Fondation La Luxembourgeoise, but also on the Fondation André Losch. In the coming weeks and months, initiatives will be taken to further increase and diversify funding sources.
HUT - Hëllef um Terrain also announced the strengthening of its Board of Directors, with the arrival of two new members: Netty Klein and Evie Roos. The eight Board members are currently responsible for part of the operational side of HUT - Hëllef um Terrain, while awaiting the recruitment of the Managing Director. Erica Monfardini has been appointed Administrative and Financial Director.
The organisation noted that there are currently more than ten vacancies at HUT - Hëllef um Terrain, which is mainly (but not only) looking for social workers and graduate or qualified educators. Details are available on www.hut.lu/jobs.
HUT - Hëllef um Terrain concluded its statement by thanking its staff for their "excellent" daily work, as well as its founding members and partners for their trust. The entity stated that, one month after its effective launch, HUT - Hëllef um Terrain is "on the right track".
