Itongadol.- US Vice President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that the Obama administration would appoint a special envoy who would work as a liaison with Holocaust survivors and nonprofit organizations that support them.
At a special luncheon hosted by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee on Tuesday, Biden said that the new liaison would help support initiatives that improve the lot of survivors in socioeconomic distress while encouraging the private sector to do more to meet their needs.
The vice president also praised the work of community organizations and institutions that have provided aid and relief to poverty-stricken survivors of the Holocaust.
“Today our country took a major step forward toward addressing the needs of many Holocaust survivors,” said Michael Siegal, who heads the Jewish Federation of North America Board of Trustees. “We are looking forward to working with the special envoy to raise awareness and help ensure that Holocaust survivors receive the support of programs to help them live with dignity and comfort.”
According to Jewish Federations, two-thirds of the 120,000 Holocaust survivors in the US live alone, many of whom struggle to support themselves.
“As Jewish Federations continue to raise needed funds to support social service programs for Holocaust survivors, we will use the momentum from the vice president’s announcement to draw extra attention to this cause,” said Jerry Silverman, the president and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America. “Enabling Holocaust survivors to age in place is vital for health, comfort and security and brings dignity to this vulnerable population.”