Africa-Press – Cape verde. Inflation and the high cost of living have increased “requests for food assistance” in the Portuguese-speaking community in Montreal, the director of a local social solidarity institution told Lusa news agency.
“ The situation of social solidarity worsened after the pandemic, as the various governments (federal and provincial) made some subsidies available, which ended after Covid-19. Now the situation is a little more complicated ,” said Maria José Raposo.
The Family Help Center (CAF) was created in 1996, initially due to a “growing need for support for Portuguese-speaking victims of domestic violence”.
The director of the institution explained that last year around 60 families were supported weekly through its food bank program, “a number that increased to more than 70 families this year due to the economic situation”.
The food is donated to CAF through a provincial non-profit institution, products that are now “more scarce and the food bags are no longer as full as they were in the past”.
Despite these challenges, the Family Help Center “does not refuse help to anyone” and currently has “around 30 families” on the waiting list.
In addition to the food bank program, the institution continues to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence.
Last year, 30 women and two men were assisted, receiving psychological support and guidance, he said, adding that the association works together with other support services, particularly shelter.
“Many of the people are already separated, but they continue to be threatened. Some don’t speak French fluently and need translation at the shelter centers, or they need some directions and even psychological support,” she explained.
Focusing on the Portuguese-speaking community, more recently there has been a “growing Brazilian immigration and the arrival of Angolan refugees”, who have sought CAF services.
It is estimated that there are around 50 thousand Portuguese and Portuguese descendants in Montreal.
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