More people in need of charity in Europe since COVID-19, NGO says

Job insecurity, lower pay and unequal caring responsibilities mean women are more likely to struggle financially in Europe. - Copyright Sebastian Temlett, Caritas Europa- Caritas Europa

By Méabh Mc Mahon

Published on 23/02/2022 - 17:03

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International charity Caritas calls on European policymakers to put people first and tackle social inequality in Europe.

Covid-19 has worsened pre-existing inequalities and gaps in European labour markets, according to new data from the international charity Caritas.

An increasing number of people need food, housing, and clothing across Europe.

People should be at the centre of policies and stronger social protection systems need to be put in place, Maria Nyman, Secretary-General of Caritas Europa told Euronews.

"People who have been losing their jobs or indeed the working poor, so people in a job but in a situation where the income is not high enough where the protection is not adequate, those people have been not even having their basic needs met because of the lack of social protection really,” said Nyman.

The EU Commission has said it hopes to take 50 million people out of poverty in Europe with more programmes for education, training and higher minimum wages.

Nyman says the EU and its member states must do more to "really ensure the investments that they are doing are reaching the people".

Watch our interview with Maria Nyman in the video player above.

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