Decline in funding for war victims' relief in the nation significantly decreased
In a significant shift, Germany is set to centralise and systematise the collection of data related to war victim care services from January 1, 2024. This move aligns with the country's obligations under social compensation laws and reflects a broader international trend towards large-scale, methodical data gathering for victims of war crimes and compensation claims.
Currently, 165 people in Saxony-Anhalt are receiving ongoing services under war victim care. Last year, one-time services were provided in 38 cases. However, prior to 2024, data on war victim care services in Saxony-Anhalt was not collected by the Federal Office for Social Compensation.
From 2024, the Federal Office for Social Compensation will take over the data collection process. This transition is due to the implementation of the Social Code Book Fourteenth - Social Compensation, which will be enforced as of January 1, 2024.
The new data collection process is expected to be more inclusive, ensuring victims' participation and rights during the data collection and service provision processes. It will also involve the integration of victim service data into centralised digital systems for improved access and coordination. Enhanced data protection and privacy standards in compliance with European regulations will also be a focus.
The change in data collection is likely to impact the analysis and understanding of the services provided. For instance, the gross expenditure for war victim care services in Saxony-Anhalt in 2022 was approximately 1.57 million euros. The main share of expenditures, around 1.3 million euros (85.4%), was for assistance in special life situations and care assistance. In 2022, care assistance expenditure was 127,203 euros (8.1%).
It's worth noting that the number of people receiving ongoing services decreased by 92 people or 35.8% compared to 2020. The change in data collection for war victim care services may provide more comprehensive and consistent data on the services provided, leading to better compensation and care services aligned with both national legislation and international best practices on victim support and reparations.
Interestingly, both types of services are primarily provided to dependents rather than the disabled themselves. This suggests a focus on supporting the broader family unit, which is a key aspect of German social legislation.
In conclusion, the shift towards a more centralised, systematic, and inclusive digital data process for war victim care services is a significant step forward in Germany's efforts to improve care services and legal reparations for war victims. The new process aligns with both national legislation and international best practices on victim support and reparations, ensuring a more comprehensive and consistent approach to data collection and service provision.
[1] International Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) for Syria [2] United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
- The new data collection process for war victim care services in Germany, set to begin in 2024, will also incorporate data from other sectors, such as medical-conditions and health-and-wellness, as part of the centralized digital systems for improved access and coordination.
- The enhancements made to the data collection process for war victim care services, including strengthened data protection and privacy standards, will align with the international standards outlined in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
- In light of the implementation of more systematic data collection for war victim care services, there may be opportunities for collaboration between the health-and-wellness sector and finance, particularly in the area of business models for addressing medical-conditions of war victims and ensuring adequate financial support for their care and rehabilitation.
