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| Study reveals humanitarian impact of economic crisis in Europe 19 October 2009 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in Europe and Central Asia report an increase in the number of people needing help as a result of the current global economic crisis - especially from groups who do not traditionally approach them. In a study on the humanitarian impact of the economic crisis, findings based on evidence collected by the Red Cross Red Crescent in 40 countries show that a majority of National Societies now struggle with the simultaneous challenges of increasing needs and decreasing resources. The middle classes are also struggling and several Red Cross societies in the European Union (EU) have reported an increase in the number of requests for assistance in cash. More than two thirds of EU societies now include food in their domestic programmes; an activity which has not been commonly carried out in recent times. And National Societies in Central Asia report that people who use established Red Cross Red Crescent programmes - such as tuberculosis patients and victims of natural disasters - are now much more vulnerable due to the economic crisis. “This study does not pretend to present rigorous statistics on the humanitarian impact of the economic crisis on households,” explains Trygve G. Nordby, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) under secretary general for humanitarian diplomacy. “It is based on what our volunteers and workers are observing in the communities they serve – and they can often detect changes in vulnerability more quickly than a formal survey can. We voice our concerns on what we observe as increased vulnerability and call on governments to take action.” At least 75 per cent of responding National Societies are witnessing the significant social impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable, and 95 per cent link increased vulnerability to unemployment, particularly among young people; at 27.3%, the Swedish youth unemployment rate is one of the highest in the EU for example. As new vulnerable groups emerge, the IFRC is calling on governments to review vulnerability criteria in social programmes, to implement concerted and sustained action to tackle social problems linked to the economic crisis, and to systematically follow up with their own assessments. The report also warns that if nothing is done, social cohesion throughout the region could be threatened by rising tensions linked to increased vulnerability and competition between less privileged groups for jobs and services. Furthermore, important infrastructural and development gains achieved over the past years may be lost. Although the impact of the economic crisis varies, there seems to be an increasing trend of insecurity, leading to increases in mental health problems, alcohol and substance abuse, social isolation and generalised stress. The report suggests that to tackle the increasing case load of social cases quickly, existing programmes could be adapted by expanding their eligibility criteria to help new categories of vulnerable people, and that existing organizations could be given additional resources to act alongside the authorities to address needs not covered by existing programmes. Although economies across Europe are showing signs of recovery, there will be a time lag before employment picks up and the consequences of the crisis are reduced. It is expected that the situation during winter 2009/2010 may be especially difficult. Web link to the full report: http://www.ifrc.org/publicat/. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Paul Conneally, media manager, Geneva Tel: +41 79 308 9809 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 186 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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