Increase in fuels concerns social institutions

ANDmr Lusa, Director-General of the Community Life and Peace (CVP), Renata Alves, explained that the increase in fuel prices has exacerbated the financial difficulties of the institution, which has more than 20 cars and registered a 11% increase in fuel costs since the beginning of the year, compared to the same period.

The institution, which supports more than 900 people through about 22 social responses, had already begun to reduce expenditure in the first quarter, but the worsening costs forced new measures, including the reduction of services and workers.

“ We may have to dispense with some services or some answers from some professionals that we have already given up”, admitted Renata Alves, warning about the consequences on the quality of the intervention.

The CVP daily monitors between 450 and 500 homeless people, through the turns of the night, in Lisbon, in addition to supporting vulnerable families and people in social treatment or reintegration.

To reduce expenses, the institution has already reviewed the four night circuits, which cover about 100 points of the capital, reducing the distribution of suppers in places where other organizations also provide food support.

Renata Alves explained that the evening turns represent an annual investment of more than 400,000 euros and do not have public funding, depending exclusively on donations from individuals and companies.

As regards extraordinary support for fuels, the person responsible has shown that the institution will be entitled to the maximum amount of EUR 600, which she considers insufficient in relation to expenditure.

He also said that CVP may need to reduce some responses to ensure the sustainability of the institution at a time when it fears an increase in aid applications.

"This distresses us, doesn't it? Huge. Because we would like to say that we are reducing answers in services because they are not necessary, but that is not what is happening,” he lamented.

Refood is also experiencing the effects of increased fuel, which is reflected in the costs of cars used in the collection and distribution of food and the costs incurred by volunteers.

The founder of the movement, Hunter Halder, revealed to Lusa that the Vila Nova de Famalicão core, which has four diesel trucks, has seen an increase of about 40% in fuel expenditure.

With 69 units all over the country and about 35 own cars, Refood also depends on the private cars of volunteers, who bear the costs of travel.

“ The Refood volunteers pay for the privilege of volunteering ", Ironized Hunter Halder, explaining that the increase in fuel represents another charge for those who provide free collection.

On the other hand, the volunteer of the Refood de Vila Nova de Famalicão Ângela Gomes pointed out that the costs with the vans, their maintenance and diesel represent the largest expenditure of the core, which has about 250 volunteers and collects food from 35 partners.

The institution supports, on average, 150 families, corresponding to almost 500 people, and performs daily collections and deliveries throughout the county.

“ If we stop collecting, the food we were going to collect will be wasted. And if we stop delivering to families, these families will also be without the food they need,” he warned.

Ângela Gomes explained that the core receives annual support from the City Council, which decreased this year, and that the increase in expenditure has already led those responsible to discuss possible adjustments in the routes.

While ensuring that the families currently supported will not be abandoned, he admitted that the core is no longer able to accept new requests involving travel to areas far from existing routes.

The volunteer also revealed that new requests for help arrive every week and advocated the creation of specific support for institutions that rely on fuels to ensure their activity.

SV // ZO

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