To meet the disaster preparedness and reconstruction objectives of Saint Martin, the French Red Cross has been deploying post-emergency projects for several months now. Among which is the “squirrel” project, which aimed to meet the financial needs of the most vulnerable by distributing coupons to buy essential goods.
"These coupons were distributed to the 1400 beneficiaries from April, and were valid until June 30," explains Else Souchard, project manager at the Red Cross, and in particular the Ecureuil project in Saint-Martin and Saint- Bartholomew.
To identify the beneficiaries, the Red Cross called on its partners: CAF, the Community's family solidarity pole, and various neighborhood associations.
The weighted criteria were used to assess the overall situation of the beneficiaries: family composition (number of people in the household, presence of an infant, an elderly or disabled person, etc.), economic situation (employment, resources, etc.), housing (completely destroyed, requiring major work, person accommodated ...).
Criteria on the basis of which each partner has drawn up a list of potential beneficiaries. Then, at the end of March, an attribution commission took place with the Red Cross of course, but also the COM, social workers, associations, and representatives of users (members of the population). "We studied the situation of each person, the files having been previously anonymized (the names and places of residence had been hidden) in order to be able to focus on the criteria and avoid any bias" specifies Else Souchard. “We have helped people who had not received anything since Irma, and others who had received other aid but whose situation required it. She continues. Coupons were then printed and distributed to the 1400 beneficiaries contacted by telephone, SMS or directly by door-to-door. "The associations have also helped us a lot when we couldn't reach the beneficiaries as well as by lending us their premises", she underlines.
Each beneficiary received 12 coupons worth 50 euros (or 600 euros in total) which he was able to spend in five stores in the French part of Marigot in Quartier d'Orléans. Of course, it was impossible to buy tobacco or alcohol with these coupons since the aim of the operation was to meet basic needs (food, hygiene and maintenance products). The coupons were nominative, and recipients had to present identification at the same time. A QR code was affixed on each coupon which enabled their traceability.
The Red Cross has thus been able to observe that this is indeed what people have bought. “We know which coupon was used by which beneficiary. Some spent it all at once, others preferred to space their purchases ”reports Else Souchard. 99,8% of the coupons were used, which proves to the association that the need was real.
(Source: www.soualigapost.com)
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