It was emphasized at a joint press conference that inflation does not take vacations. All three aid organizations reported an immense increase in people seeking help.
The reason for this is the strongest inflation in 40 years, emphasized Caritas Secretary General Anna Parr: “And we assume that it will increase dramatically.” The price increase hit poor people in particular with “full force”, Parr referred to the so-called mini-shopping basket, which was even more expensive by 15.4 percent. Many now have to calculate exactly whether a kilo of bread will run out at the end of the month. Many people are currently asking Caritas for help for the first time, says Parr: “Not only those at risk of poverty, but also many people in the lower third of the income bracket can no longer make ends meet.” Single parents and families with more children are particularly affected. “We’re slowly reaching our limits,” said Parr. For example, a temporary freeze was imposed on food expenditure in Vienna and they had to switch to smaller food packages. The demand far exceeds the supply.
“Existential Needs”
Similar experiences are also made in the Diakonie: “Existential needs strike in all areas,” emphasized Diakonie Director Maria Katharina Moser. Even baby food for mothers who cannot breastfeed is becoming an increasing problem. And parents would already be asking about school supplies for the fall. “The families are running out of money earlier in the month.” In addition, Moser emphasized that there was a “vicious circle” of financial difficulties, educational disadvantages and developmental delays or health disadvantages. Poverty and education would intertwine. This problem is now getting worse due to inflation. The standard of living of people at risk of poverty is poorer and illnesses increase with low social status.
Children and young people should now go on vacation and enjoy life, according to Volkshilfe director Erich Fenninger. Instead, many children are burdened and worried because they know that there is not enough money for the families. “Price increases are life-threatening for many.” In an Austria-wide survey of more than 550 social workers carried out by Volkshilfe in June and July, almost three-quarters of those questioned stated that inflation had a major impact on the planning of children and young people affected by poverty. There is an urgent need for basic financial security for children.
“Statutory switch-off ban for electricity and gas in winter”
The aid organizations are calling for a “targeted anti-inflation surcharge” and an “end of the watering can,” as Caritas Secretary General Parr put it. The anti-inflationary surcharge is intended to benefit the poorest households – beneficiaries of social benefits as well as low-income workers. The turquoise-green federal government should create the legal basis for this over the summer.
Parr also called for a “legally enshrined shutdown of electricity and gas in winter” and for social security benefits to be raised to a “poverty-proof level”. The announced valorization of social benefits from next year was welcomed. However, this should also include emergency assistance and unemployment benefits. In addition, the loss in value over the past few years should be compensated accordingly, for example in the case of family allowances. According to Fenninger, something can also be gained from a currently discussed electricity price cap.
Source: Nachrichten
