Corona crisis: ensuring aid and protection for those in need
To ensure that the most vulnerable continue to get the help they need, Parliament has adopted changes to the rules on the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived.
The coronavirus crisis has increased the number of people at risk of poverty. To enable EU countries to better address their basic needs during the recovery period through the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), Parliament voted on 21 January in favour of continuing to make additional resources available under the React-EU initiative in 2021 and 2022.
The Covid-19-crisis has made getting aid to the most vulnerable members of our societies more challenging. To better protect people at risk of poverty or social exclusion and to ensure continuity of support at a time of social distancing, Parliament also approved changes to the rules for the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived on 17 April 2020.
National authorities are able to adjust their aid schemes to reduce the risk of contamination. For example, food aid and basic material assistance can be delivered through electronic vouchers or vouchers in any form. Where needed, those delivering aid should be provided with the necessary protective equipment.
The Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived
- The fund was created in 2014 to help alleviate the worst forms of poverty in the EU: food deprivation, child poverty, homelessness
- It provides essentials for those in need, food and basic items such as clothes, shoes and toiletries, but also promotes social inclusion through psychological support, language courses etc.
- Assistance is provided through partner organisations and can be adapted to local needs, so EU countries can set their own priorities.
- Each year about 13 million people benefit from the fund
Under the changes agreed by Parliament, EU countries will be able to request 100% co-financing from the EU budget.
Find out what measure the EU is taking to ensure the economic recovery