It is a first since the winter of 1954. In an unprecedented way since the call of Father Pierre, a sign that times are hard for the association, the Emmaüs Movement is launching a call for donations. "This is the battle for Emmaüs which usually is autonomous and financially independent", deplores Jean-François Marusziczak, president of the association interviewed by Europe 1.
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First needs of up to 5 million euros
While France has been in containment since March 17 because of the health crisis linked to the coronavirus, Emmaüs finds itself deprived of its usual financial resources, its solidarity shops are also closed to the public. "This situation leads us to launch this first call which is a historic call because never, except in 1954, we had made a call to the generosity of the public".
Since the start of confinement, 210 of the 289 structures of the federation have been shut down, in particular the communities of "companions" who operate thanks to the recovery and resale of furniture, equipment and various objects. A number of integration assistance structures and assistance to over-indebted families overseen by the association are also threatened.
The situation is serious. Created around the values of autonomy and reconstruction through work promoted by Father Pierre, who had founded his first Emmaüs community in 1949, the association calculates its needs at five million euros. "Five million euros to be able to pass this extremely difficult period so that the 20,000 people who are welcomed daily are not put back on the street," insists the president of Emmaus on Europe 1.
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"I don't know if Emmaus will survive this crisis"
Very diverse, the movement supports and accompanies multiple precarious audiences. From the homeless to the long-term unemployed, including over-indebted families; migrants, recent prisoners, or travelers.
Jean-François Marusziczak is formal: he does not know if Emmaus will survive this crisis. "We are trying, by this appeal to the generosity of the public, to be able to compensate for this, but what will be Emmaus tomorrow?", He questions, "today, I do not know how to answer this question."
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