News//Press
One more roof. 5 less refugees.
Dr. Christian Konrad (‘Austria xxx) starts – in cooperation with the Red Cross and advertising agency DEMNER, MERLICEK & BERGMANN – a wide-spread fundraiser.
Homes for homeless immigrants.
As of January 2016 there are more than 5,000 people who have applied for asylum in Austria and are waiting for their asylum applications to be processed – something that can take up numerous months. They are currently being accommodated in emergency shelters.
The association ‘Austria helps out’, headed by refugee coordinator Dr. Christian Konrad and the Red Cross, has made it their goal to accelerate creating permanent homes for homeless refugees.
With the construction of houses in various sizes, living spaces for at least five people can be setup in a very short time. Sustainability and flexibility in the interior design determine the construction. The houses –there are currently two in Seekirchen and two more in Tamsweg – can later be adapted for other community purposes.
In order to raise the necessary funds, a pro bono campaign was developed jointly with DEMNER, MERLICEK & BERGMANN, which invites the public and especially companies and institutions to actively support the cause.
One more roof. 5 less refugees.
This motto sums up the essence in a nutshell, because people with a roof over their heads are no longer refugees, but asylum seekers. This statement assures everyone’s attention: those, who are already doing their utmost to support. And those, that simply care for the ‘less’: less helplessness and less exposure of people who are faced with inhumane living conditions in mid-winter.
The strong visual symbol of the red roof shrinks the message into a sign: A roof over one’s head gives people their dignity back – the first step towards integration.
‘I want to be a human…’ sings Wolfgang Ambros in the TV- and radio spots. And speaks from the soul of these people that finally want to arrive. Those who listen carefully, can hear their own: Don’t we all want to be human – and build a roof over the heads of people that need it?
24- and 8-sheet billboards at high frequency streets and squares, ads in newspapers, info screens, radio- and TV spots, online banner and a donations microsite – with the free services provided by all participants, this major campaign procured enormous impact, attention and was widely heard.