# Polish Nazi Victims Appeal to German Civil Society for Urgent Support Aging survivors of Nazi persecution demand humanitarian aid as official reparations remain stalled. - **Source:** [DW – Europe](https://www.dw.com/en) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3c2464cd-d064-424a-b259-b4967da9f0bd ## Urgent Appeal for Aid Polish victims' organizations issued a dramatic appeal on November 5, urging German civil society to provide humanitarian support. Approximately 50,000 survivors of Nazi persecution, including former concentration camp inmates and forced laborers, remain in Poland today. Many are over 90 years old, facing severe health struggles and rising daily living costs. ## Stalled Official Negotiations While Germany acknowledges moral responsibility, the federal government has yet to reach a formal decision regarding reparations. Previous demands for 6.2 trillion zloty made by the former PiS government were rejected. Current diplomatic talks between Warsaw and Berlin have failed to produce a concrete solution for the aging survivor population. ## Historical Context of Suffering During World War II, approximately 6 million Polish citizens were killed, including 3 million Polish Jews. Under the German 'General Plan East,' millions were displaced or enslaved. About 2.5 million Poles were deported to the German Reich for forced labor, enduring inhumane conditions that continue to impact the lives of survivors today. ## Limited Financial Support Following the 1989 democratic transition, Germany provided 500 million deutschmarks to Polish Holocaust victims. Later, the EVZ Foundation distributed payments to former forced laborers. However, many in Poland consider these historical efforts insufficient given the scale of crimes committed during the occupation, leaving a lasting scar on bilateral relations between nations. ## Civil Society Mobilization With official government channels deadlocked, the Foundation for Polish–German Reconciliation is turning to private citizens. Since May, individual donations have raised over €35,000, providing one-time assistance to those in need. Jakub Deka, the foundation's chairman, emphasizes that while these funds are a small start, they provide vital relief for survivors. ## Political Budget Hurdles Germany's opposition Greens party recently attempted to secure funding for a 'humanitarian gesture' through the budget committee. Unfortunately, the request was rejected by the committee. Franziska Brantner, co-chair of the Greens, stated that the party will continue to push for this change during the final review session held this week. ## Public Sentiment in Poland The German-Polish Barometer, a representative survey conducted for 25 years, highlights deep-seated frustration. Currently, 53% of respondents believe the suffering of the Polish people is not sufficiently acknowledged in Germany. Only 18% of those surveyed feel that Germany has done enough to address the historical grievances of the Polish population. ## The Race Against Time The urgency of this appeal is underscored by the advanced age of the survivors. Jerzy Tarasiewicz, a prominent victims' advocate, passed away in September at age 84 without seeing a resolution. His death serves as a painful reminder that for many, the window for receiving a humanitarian gesture is rapidly closing. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dw.com/en/victims-of-nazi-war-in-poland-call-on-germany-for-support/a-79909311?maca=en-rss-en-eu-2092-rdf — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._