Pierre-Alain Praz: As of 2014, my observations are consistent with data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. The latest figures show that 745 thousand people – that is 8.7 percent of Switzerland's population – live below the poverty line (income limit is 2.3 thousand francs per person and 4 thousand francs for a family with two children). This phenomenon intensified after 2019 – first due to the COVID-19 pandemic, then due to inflation.
These estimates do not include those at risk of poverty.
Yes. People at risk of poverty are those who earn several hundred francs a month more than the poverty line – and are therefore ineligible for social benefits.
If we add this population to those considered poor, we come to the conclusion that 12% are already in dire straits. Up to 14 percent of Switzerland's population.
“Almost one and a half million people are at risk of poverty”
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected poverty in Switzerland?
Attracted people's attention in difficult situations. Many people at risk of poverty in Switzerland work in short-term jobs. In 2019, they averaged only 80% due to restrictions introduced during the pandemic. Your income.
Many families, after paying mandatory expenses like rent and insurance premiums, are left with nothing in everyday life. Many of them turned to Caritas grocery stores for help.
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Line up at a food bank in Geneva during the Covid-19 pandemic
Based on data on assisted pensions received at that time in all Swiss regions (AVS/AI benefits, All Swiss – ed.), it can be concluded that up to 18% are at risk of poverty. Population It is almost one and a half million people.
What types of people do you often help?
Three groups can be distinguished. The first is those who are afraid to apply for social assistance for fear of losing their residence permit in the country. The second is undocumented immigrants who are not eligible for any assistance. A third group is people living on very low or variable incomes.
During the pandemic, Caritas in Vat province paid out over 3 million francs (PLN 14 million) to cover basic needs, such as paying rent, to those in need.
Caritas in Switzerland has its hands full
What specific measures has Caritas taken?
He invested a lot in his grocery stores, which now have an annual turnover of 5 million Swiss francs (23 million PLN 390 million). Between 100 and 150 people receive food assistance in Wat Province every day.
We also provide community counselling, debt relief, housing and job search services as well as administrative and legal support. We also provide emergency accommodation. In the province of Vaud we can provide 12.6 thousand. Overnight stay per year.
We also offer the CarteCulture card, which gives Vaud residents a 10% discount. For various services.
Will increasing poverty in Switzerland lead to the creation of associations like Caritas?
We are already a big organization – the Caritas branch in Vad province alone has 600 volunteers and 140 employees, and we generate 18 million Swiss francs (PLN 84 million) in revenue. About half of our income comes from public grants, a quarter from private donations, and the remaining quarter from our stores and other grocery stores.
Of course, any additional assistance is welcome as it will help strengthen our non-subsidized services, especially direct assistance, food distribution in our shelters, and assistance and counseling for undocumented immigrants.
“Our globalized world is full of striking contradictions”
Shouldn't you be run by the state to better respond to the social needs of each Swiss region?
Caritas is a private company and intends to remain so. If we rely entirely on public funding, it may be difficult. Even though some bureaucratic challenges have limited our work since the end of the pandemic, our relationship with the regions has been good.
The need to focus on administrative matters sometimes limits the ability to act and respond quickly.
How is collaboration between different charities?
As a rule, we try to complement each other positively. Sometimes we collaborate with more than 20 associations as part of various projects. It helps us a lot in achieving our goals.
Switzerland is not the only country facing an increasingly unequal distribution of wealth.
The world is full of surprising contradictions. Some benefit from the public transparency that globalization provides, while others suffer from it.
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People in a homeless crisis sleeping in a park in Bern, the capital of Switzerland
I decided to help those on the “margins”. I have no grudge against the rich – as long as they pay taxes and allow minimal redistribution.
It is truly regrettable that one and a half million people in Switzerland are facing serious financial difficulties. Work should be more fairly rewarded.
We need a decent wage, which is an absolutely achievable goal. We also need a more developed family policy. Making life easier for working couples is in the best interest of our economy and the entire country.
What gives you the most satisfaction in this job?
Every year we train 10 to 12 trainees from disadvantaged youth. After completing the course, they become salesmen or logistics. However, the most important thing is that we see with our own eyes how they regain their confidence.
The ceremony where they receive their Caritas diploma is always a great moment. Each of these people has their own story. A year ago we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the food distribution center in the Lausanne area. We planned a concert for 300 people with the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra. In the end, more than 800 people showed up at the Théâtre de Beaulieu.
It was a wonderful moment filled with warmth between the helpers and the helpers, people from all walks of life. These moments of brotherhood and sharing are especially precious.
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