Material and living conditions of the Jewish people in ghettos in the Rzeszów poviat during German occupation

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present the situation of Jewish people living in ghettos in the Rzeszów poviat during the German occupation, highlighting the key issues. First, the paper focuses on living and sanitary conditions in the ghettos, which included poor conditions and no access to basic means of hygiene, creating a significant impact on the sanitary situation and negatively affecting the health of ghetto inhabitants. The flats were cramped, with sometimes over a dozen people living in one room. Second, the paper focuses on food, with short food supplies supplemented by aid organizations and illegal trade. It is argued that increasing poverty mainly affected those who were poor before the war with little financial resources. Third, the paper deals with diseases and the attempts to treat them. The fight against disease and epidemics was one of the greatest challenges faced in the ghettos. Treatment was difficult due to a lack of basic medications and medical resources with little professional help. This article is based on archival documents, other publications on this subject, and reports from Holocaust survivors.