On Thursday, November 18, Secours Catholique published its annual report on poverty in France. Once again, the figures are very worrying.
Thursday, November 18, 2021, the annual report published by Secours Catholique reveals that food aid benefited more than 5 million people in 2020, a year disrupted by the health crisis. Indeed, between 5 and 7 million people were affected by this boost helping the most precarious households, as indicated in this report, which is based on data collected by the General Directorate of Social Cohesion (DGCS) .
Véronique Devise, president of the association, who fears the worst for next winter due to the rise in energy prices, warns: “It is a humiliation that our country inflicts on nearly 10% of its population”. The median standard of living of food aid recipients this year is 537 euros, or 6 euros less than the previous year. “Managing a budget when you have barely more than 500 euros, as with RSA, is almost impossible. We need a decent income, as all associations have been calling for for years. A question of dignity ! “, says Jean Merckaert, one of the leaders of Secours Catholique, quoted by The Parisian.
Food aid: the profile of beneficiaries
This figure is clearly below the poverty line estimated at 1,063 euros in 2018. According to the results of a study conducted by Secours Catholique, the households benefiting from aid are couples with children (37.7%) and single mothers (31.7%). The study also shows that 27% of the individuals questioned indicated that they did not eat for a whole day, or more.