Faced with the coronavirus, a platform to help the most disadvantaged has been opened

The associations (Restos du Coeur, Secours populaire, the Food Bank, Emmaus, the Little Brothers of the Poor, etc.) have made it known in recent days that they are short of arms due to the health crisis caused by the coronavirus epidemic. Young people in civic service and compulsory national service are targeted as a priority by the platform, but "all French people under the age of 70 can register," said Secretary of State for Associations Gabriel Attal. .

In this moment of health crisis, the solidarity carried by the associations, by each and every one of us, is essential. Join the civic reserve on https://t.co/a2utgh0Si2. cc @jmblanquer @olivierveran @duboschristelle #JeVeuxAider pic.twitter.com/KGUk6zVhn1

"Currently 58,000 young people in civic services cannot continue their missions because of the Covid-19 and are motivated to help associations," he added. The platform offers help for "four vital missions": "food and emergency aid"; “exceptional childcare” (children of caregivers); the “link with isolated fragile people” (by phone, video, email with elderly, sick or disabled people); and finally “proximity solidarity” (shopping for the most fragile neighbors).

One third less of their volunteers

Today, non-medical missions, including reception in public hospitals are "not on the agenda" because the situation "does not yet trigger this mobilization," said Gabriel Attal. On this same platform, associations submit their needs, called "mission offers".

The associations work with elderly volunteers, who are over 70 years old in a third or even half of the cases. Like Restos du Coeur who have lost "a third, or 20,000 volunteers" since the start of the epidemic, said President Patrice Blanc. "If it can facilitate the arrival of younger volunteers it is a good thing," he reacted, wishing for a "very local response, city by city".

Thierry Robert, director general of Secours populaire, which normally has 80,000 volunteers, is delighted with this "government support point". However, he is above all asking for "economic aid".

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• Coronavirus
• Society
• state
• Association
• Volunteering