Church entities are urging “immediate action” in connection with the increase in prices of food commodities.
In a statement, 22 Church entities, who work closely with the most needy and vulnerable society, said that they are “especially concerned about rising prices for basic necessities – those of food.”
They are appealing to the leaders and institutions of the country to “continue to prioritise these people in need and take action to ensure that any increases do not make their situation worse than it already is.”
The organisation noted that many basic commodities such as pasta, sauce and oil rose by at least 20%.
They also stressed that “the people who will suffer most because of the high prices are those we often, as a society, prefer to believe do not exist.”
“Among the people living in hidden poverty include families living in small apartments or garages often leased with increasing rents beyond the reality of wages; elderly people living in their homes without electricity and water because they cannot afford to pay their bills due to their low income; and other people living in houses and apartments which from the outside seem ‘normal’ but when you enter you will find the harsh realities in which they live,” said the church organisations.
The Church, through its parishes and entities, said that it is “committed to continuing not only responding to similar situations but continuing to seek out and help those in need.”
Last year, more than 1,300 families in need across Malta and Gozo were regularly assisted by parish volunteers, they said.
This statement is signed by: Kummissjoni Djocesana Djakonija, Caritas Malta, Church Homes for the Elderly, Dar Hosea, Dar Merhba Bik Foundation, Dar tal-Providenza, Fondazzjoni Sebh, Franciscan Welfare Association, Jesuit Refugee Service, Kummissjoni Gustizzja u Paci, Kummissjoni Migranti, Mater Dei and Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre Chaplains, Millennium Chapel, Paulo Freire Institute, Peace & Good Foundation, Segretarjat Assistenza Socjali, St Jeanne Antide Foundation, Socjetà ta’ San Vincenz de Paule, Sorijiet tal-Bon Pastur, Ufficcju Djakonija Djocesi ta’ Ghawdex, Ufficcju Hidma Pastorali mal-Persuni Separati u Youth Alive Foundation.