At a recent meeting with immigrants’ associations in the parish of Vale da Amoreira, in the municipality of Moita, I was able to see for myself that they perform a vital social function, particularly important in a crisis as dire as the one which Portugal is now undergoing.

The Cape Verdeans’ association, for example, distributes food aid to over 1 000 people. The flow of aid, however, which is covered by an arrangement with the Social Security Institute, is now in jeopardy because payments stopped five months ago. According to senior officials of the association, the aid used to be provided under the EU food aid programme.

The Angolans’ association has been actively involved with younger members of the community and organising training in dance, music, the plastic arts, and other fields. The training is provided on a voluntary basis by the association’s leaders.

1. Which EU programmes and measures could be employed to support the activities of these associations?

2. What is the state of play regarding the EU food aid programme? Why is it that delays have occurred, as mentioned above, in the delivery of aid to organisations working on the ground?