For several days, false information has circulated in Saint Martin according to which the French Red Cross has suspended its Emergency Food Aid scheme for new applicants following “a recent fight” which occurred during ”a distribution of food stamps by the family solidarity pole in mid-October ”(says the Soualigapost)
The French Red Cross denies these rumors: on the one hand, the Family Solidarity Pole does not distribute any food coupons from the French Red Cross, and on the other hand, no fights or excesses were deplored by our teams and the forces. of order, during distributions organized by our association in the districts located in the French part of the island. Every day, during our actions, we ensure the safety and respect for the dignity of the people we meet and support.
In fact, established on the island since 1995, the French Red Cross strives, as part of its missions, to meet the needs of populations in a very precarious situation. It is in this spirit that we responded to the needs identified by the Collectivity by launching on March 20, six months after the passage of Hurricane Irma and in the presence of our Director General, the emergency food aid system. .
This action, deployed for a period of one year, attempts to provide an appropriate response to the food needs of precarious audiences encountering socio-economic difficulties. This aid thus makes it possible to fight against food insecurity, while prioritizing respect for dignity and overall support for people.
To carry out this action with the target audience, the French Red Cross asked 20 social workers on the island from institutional and associative structures to identify, guide and support people and families eligible for Food Aid. 'Emergency.
Thus, around 200 families per month, referred via shuttle cards by social workers, benefit from this system.
Nevertheless, some social partners have told the French Red Cross about their difficulty in responding to all the requests from people asking for an assessment of their social and economic situation - a single condition for receiving emergency food aid. It was therefore decided, in consultation with the Collectivity, to suspend the system as it stands so that all the partners can readjust their means of evaluation according to their organization.
In this case, as of October 31, 2018, social workers on the island will no longer process any new requests for guidance for Emergency Food Aid brought by the French Red Cross. No more new shuttle forms will be issued.
Please note: however, all people already benefiting from emergency food aid will be able to use their electronic payment card distributed by the French Red Cross in the 7 partner stores until their credit is used up, before the end of March 2019. The French Red Cross thus continues its action with its beneficiaries for whom it has committed over a period of 1 to 3 months.
Furthermore, we deeply regret that the reasons for this decision were unknowingly disseminated to the public in a disconcerted and unreasonable manner. Despite everything, the French Red Cross continues and will continue to deploy on the island of Saint Martin, its aid and support actions for vulnerable people.
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