Vice-President Aragonès and Minister El Homrani emphasize that in the current crisis “it is time to rescue the people” and not the banks as in 2008

“Now is the time to rescue the people” underlined Catalonia’s Vice President and Minister for the Economy Pere Aragonès as he announced an emergency contract with the Red Cross to the tune of “1.5 million euros for food” for it to be distributed by the NGO among families in difficulty and with dependent children. Mr Aragonès stated at the headquarters of the Red Cross in Catalonia that “it is important to keep in mind that in the coming months we will have to be able to rescue the people. In the 2008 crisis, the European institutions and the state rescued the banks. Now it is time to rescue the people, beginning by guaranteeing food and the most basic supplies,” he added.

Mr Aragonès also took the opportunity to highlight the work of all the volunteer organizations: “Today we are taking a small step, and we will have to do more in the coming weeks so that inequality does not get any worse with this health crisis than was already being felt,” he remarked.

If at a time of crisis such as this, we do not stake on the regularization of all those citizens living in this country, we will not be doing the right thing. It is time to build an alliance to cover the most invisible parts of society

Chakir El Homrani Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Families

Likewise, the Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Families, Chakir El Homrani, highlighted the work of associations such as the Red Cross. “The social fabric is one of the treasures we have as a society” and highlighted the agreement with the Red Cross, which “helps us halt this emergency.”

Mr Homrani also referred to the 200 euro government aid for basic supplies for families in temporary or long-term unemployment approved a few days ago. “In just five days we have had a record number of requests for this service with over 80,000 applications, and we have resolved more than 15,000. We are responding and ensuring rights beyond the current situation,” the minister claimed.

Finally, the Minister of Social Affairs called to prevent anyone from being left out. “If at a time of crisis such as this, we do not stake on the regularization of all those citizens living in this country, we will not be doing the right thing. It is time to build an alliance to cover the most invisible parts of society, such as migrant women who do care work,” concluded El Homrani.