The Guardian: Hunger is another pandemic hunting the British

The British Guardian newspaper published an article by journalist writer John Harris, in which he said that Britain is heading towards an unprecedented social crisis and a shortage of food, in light of the difficult economic conditions resulting from the spread of the Corona epidemic.

Harris noted that the most frequent topic in his talks during the past three months while covering the repercussions of the Coruna epidemic and the social crisis that caused it, was the topic of food, or rather the increasing number of people who have experienced or are at risk of hunger.

He said that those in charge of food banks in Britain report an increase in the demand for food aid in some areas by about 300%, in light of the economic recession, which is expected to reach its range by the autumn.

He also pointed out that large numbers of people who have recently lost their jobs in the formal and private sectors and who have the right to receive dues, have suddenly discovered that the money they receive ultimately is not enough to cover their basic needs.

The silence before the hurricane

The article criticized the actions of the British government in dealing with the consequences of Corona, and said that despite the promises made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson regarding rebuilding and ensuring opportunities, people are aware of the fact that the UK is on the verge of a social crisis that may be unprecedented.

According to Robin Burgess, director of the Northampton Hope Center, which provides urgent food aid to hundreds of people per week, its center faced a decline in public donations in exchange for a large increase in the need for food aid last April, and although the aid is recovering now, he is still very concerned about what will become Things happen when the fall comes, in light of the large increase in demand for food aid, and he considered that what is happening now is "the calm before the next storm."

It is expected that the food bank run by Burgess will soon receive help from a new government body called the "charitable food grant", amounting to 46 thousand pounds, but it is not enough in light of the high unemployment and worsening economic conditions.

"I think we are on the verge of a major crisis in food banks, and we must get more money than this, because there will be another increase in the need for food aid," Burgess told the newspaper.