International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: Castex expected at the turn

Queue for a food distribution organized by the ACLEFEU association in Clichy-sous-Bois, in the Paris region, April 22, 2020. Ludovic MARIN / AFP

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In France, the government will make announcements for the most vulnerable.

On this international day for the eradication of poverty, Saturday October 17, Prime Minister Jean Castex is expected at midday in the Paris region.

It is about responding to the emergency.

More and more people are falling into poverty because of the health and economic crisis.

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This is one of the criticisms formulated in September when the government's

100 billion euro

announced

: almost nothing for the poorest.

However, the queues for food aid are getting longer and studies show it: confinement has worsened the situation of the most modest.

It impoverished already struggling households and pushed families into poverty.

To try to answer, Prime Minister Jean Castex must make several announcements.

Aid in the form of bonuses, for the most part: 150 euros for beneficiaries of the RSA (active solidarity income) and for the long-term unemployed.

And 100 euros per child for beneficiaries of several social minima. 

The government is also considering a device to help young people.

But it has already closed the door to the creation of an RSA for 18-25 year olds, as associations and unions like the CFDT insist.

President Emmanuel Macron repeated it on Wednesday, for him, it is the return to activity and work that will reduce poverty and not increase social minima.

► Read also: The Covid-19 pandemic is advancing extreme poverty

Food aid demands jump

In France, since confinement, the number of beneficiaries of food aid has jumped by more than 30%. 

In front of the hangar gates, an endless queue has formed.

One after the other, the beneficiaries access the distribution stands in droplets, to avoid jostling ...

Report in a Secours populaire center in Savigny-sur-Orge

Pierre Olivier

►

Access to healthcare for the most disadvantaged increasingly difficult

On the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Doctors of the World published its 20th annual report on access to rights and healthcare for the most disadvantaged.

With the current health crisis, the situation in the country is not improving for people in a very precarious situation.

With the Covid-19 pandemic, the most vulnerable people have more difficulty in seeking treatment.

Among those who are accommodated in the 15 medical centers of Médecins du Monde in France, a quarter has neither accommodation nor accommodation ...

Report: "There can be no health without a roof"

Aram Mbengue

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• France

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