Requests for help from the Portuguese Red Cross due to the rising cost of living more than doubled in January and February this year compared to the same period in 2022, the institution said on Monday.
In the first two months of this year, “the core group of the Portuguese Red Cross (CVP) received 100 requests for assistance, more than double the number for the same period in 2022,” the humanitarian organization said, warning of a “worsening cycle of poverty in Portugal.”
“What we are very worried about is that in the first two months of this year, compared to requests for help at the same time last year, there has been an increase in requests for help from families, often for basic necessities. “, the president of CVP told Lusa.
According to Ana Jorge, these requests for support are in many cases related to “basic meals and paying some bills” that vulnerable families have recently been unable to support.
In 2022, the number of applications for assistance from extremely vulnerable families increased by 74%, according to the agency.
Ana Jorge also added that this increase is due to vulnerable low-income people who, due to the rising cost of living, can no longer balance their financial situation.
“These are the people who reach out to the Red Cross in different places where we are,” said the CVP President, also expressing concern about the less availability that is being checked for donation of goods, and, at the same time, with an increase in requests. help.
“This imbalance is of some concern,” Ana Jorge stressed.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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