“It’s becoming a tragedy, we’re living in a strange world,” protests Tony Leriche, a volunteer at the Secours Populaire and in charge of meals. Last winter, this association distributed six tons of food. However, “it’s not enough, we are worried about the coming season.” There is a lack of necessary funds for complete care. While voluntary donations, the DDASS, and the general council allow social actions to survive, the situation is becoming critical.
Women and Poor Workers
“The main concern at the moment remains the accommodation of women. It is a problem we have never faced before,” worries an employee of the 115 helpline. In October, an alarming number of women reached out to the organization. They have never had to respond to such a phenomenon.
In night shelters, spaces reserved for women are largely inadequate. In Nice, there are 19 spots for ladies compared to 90 for gentlemen. The shelters in Antibes and Cannes face the same problem.
Also, more and more workers “struggle to make ends meet, according to Sylvie Demangeat, departmental head of social action for the Red Cross, in Nice, last year, 450 working but homeless poor were counted.”
A Worsening Situation
To contain the crisis, associations and municipalities in the Alpes-Maritimes are attempting to create inter-partner relationships. The only “hiccup” is that in Menton, no action is being taken. Whether it’s a financial issue or a refusal to engage in solidarity actions, the mayor of this city does not wish to draw attention at the moment.
Meanwhile, a large population of precarious individuals concentrates in Nice and the Côte d’Azur. “Precarity is better experienced in the sun, people ‘settle in’ because they know they will find shelter and food,” they say at the Secours Populaire.
On November 1st, the grand cold plan was activated. To ease the many requests for night accommodation, the Red Cross is launching a plan for the third year. A night stop, with more flexible rules, that will allow people to eat and wash.
In short, poverty is increasing. Associations are tirelessly trying to meet the vital needs of this new precarity. The providers of the soup kitchen affirm: “on the streets the situation is frightening, you have to see it to believe it.”
