Economic crisis leads families to social assistance programmes

In a presentation made at the Theocharakis Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages General Director Giorgos Protopapas said that the number of families who sought assistance through the programme increased more than a staggering 1,690 pct since 2009.

He said that the increase is shocking, clarifying that in 2009 the support centers’ programme offering material support, as well

as psychological assistance and training, was helping just 47 families whereas that number had now risen to 900.

Requests for help are on the rise and there is a waiting list of 20-65 families in each of the six Child and Family Support Centers.

The majority of the families seeking assistance (80 pct) were Greek, 35 pct were single-parent families and 20 pct were families with more than 3 children. Elderly people who asked for assistance corresponded to 15 pct.

More than 100,000 milk cartons, 36,000 litres of olive oil, 50 tonnes of pasta, disposable diapers, baby food and 10 tons of clothing, were distributed to 2,500 children and adults. Medicine, soap, toothpaste, detergents, tissue paper products and toys were also distributed.

The first Child and Family Support Center was founded in Athens’ Kypseli district. An entire network of such centers was soon established with the assistance of the “Stavros Niarchos” Foundation.

source: ΑΜΝΑ