by InTrieste
As autumn takes hold in Trieste, a city known for its sweeping vistas of the Adriatic Sea and bustling port life, a far less picturesque reality has taken center stage: the cold emergency. For yet another year the city’s institutions have turned to volunteer organizations to manage the influx of people without shelter.
While the city demonstrated its impeccable organizational prowess during these major events, beneath the surface lies a growing crisis. With temperatures dropping, the number of people forced to sleep on the streets continues to rise, and essential human needs go unmet. According to local reports, dozens of homeless people, some of whom are migrants, face nights outdoors, exposed to the elements without basic amenities like blankets, hot showers, or even access to a bathroom.
“Many people are still forced to sleep outdoors, without any comfort,” said Daniela Schifani Corfini, president of the Luchetta Ota D’Angelo Hrovatin Foundation, a prominent humanitarian organization in the region. Schifani Corfini, echoing a sentiment of frustration shared by many in Trieste’s volunteer community, highlighted the growing gap between institutional efforts and the realities on the ground. “We do not wish to reignite debates over institutional responsibilities. Instead, we make an appeal to all people of goodwill, to those who cannot turn a blind eye to those sleeping outside,” she added.
This plea for action comes at a critical time. As cold weather sweeps in, the number of unhoused people—many of them asylum seekers or displaced persons—continues to swell. Yet, the response from local government agencies has been minimal, leaving much of the burden on the city’s non-profits and volunteer organizations.
The Luchetta Foundation has been a key player in addressing the needs of the city’s homeless population. For weeks now, the Foundation has been working to distribute critical supplies—items such as waterproof tarps, jackets, sneakers, wool socks, fleece pants, and, most crucially, sleeping bags. Their collection center at Via Valdirivo 16 has become a lifeline for Trieste’s vulnerable populations, receiving donations from concerned citizens hoping to combat what Schifani Corfini called “a lack of humanity.”
“Let’s do something against this lack of humanity,” she urged. “Offer comfort to those who truly need help, and spread this message. Even sharing the appeal is a way to react against indifference and cruelty.”
Despite her urgent words, Schifani Corfini refrained from directing criticism at Trieste’s institutions directly, focusing instead on mobilizing grassroots efforts. Yet the subtext of her statements is clear: while Trieste is able to organize large-scale, internationally recognized events, the city’s leadership has failed to adequately address the plight of its homeless population as winter approaches.
For the moment, Trieste’s salvation lies in its volunteer network. As Schifani Corfini puts it, the community must step in where others fall short. Whether these efforts will be enough to stave off the worst of the cold for the city’s homeless remains to be seen. What is certain is that, unless systemic action is taken, Trieste will face this crisis again next year.
How to Help
The Luchetta Foundation is accepting donations of essential cold-weather items at its center in Via Valdirivo 16. Needed items include waterproof sheets, jackets, sneakers, wool hats, blankets, and sleeping bags. For more information, visit the Foundation’s website: Luchetta Ota D’Angelo Hrovatin Foundation.
