Refugee fund on deadline

THE ASSOCIATION of Jewish Refugees is working against the clock to identify applicants eligible for a share of £50,000 still available from the Austrian Emergency Fund for 2017.

The Austrian Holocaust Survivors Emergency Assistance Programme provides financial assistance to Austrian Holocaust survivors and refugees, and their widows or widowers, with low incomes and modest savings, who require urgent medical attention or essential welfare services. The fund is endowed with money from the Austrian government following an agreement with the Claims Conference.

Awards from the AHSEAP are capped, with eligible applicants receiving up to £11,000 in a year for medical needs.

AJR chief executive Michael Newman said: “It is a race against time to allocate funds before the end of the year. So far grants have been made to Austrian refugees to pay for carers in the home and modifications around the home to allow for disabilities. Applications are subject to demand and available funds and there is no guarantee that all requests will be approved.”

The umbrella group of agencies that disburses monies is led by the AJR and includes Agudas Israel Community Services, Bikur Cholim and North London Bikur Cholim.

For further information contact AJR on 020 8385 3070.