Caritas identifies rise in number of poor Mallorcan residents

CARITAS, the confederation of catholic relief and social services organisations, assisted close to 10,000 people in Mallorca in 2014.
Of the 9,929 residents helped, 45 per cent were Spanish, a percentage that continues to increase year-on-year in comparison with foreign residents, according to the charity.
The number of people in need receiving help from the organisation in Palma increased by 26 per cent last year reaching 4,229, and decreased by 25 per cent in the Part Forana with a total of 5,700.
The report presented by the organisation pointed out that exclusion processes have intensified during the years of the financial crisis, describing them as ‘chronic’. In fact, the aid provided by this charity in the Island of Mallorca was for the first time above €1 million, a barrier which Caritas said was not at all a positive result as it is sign of the increase in people in need.
The main issues that Caritas covers are basic needs such as food, personal hygiene products and clothing. Other needs met include help with bills such as rent or mortgages, and also aid to children and youths.
Caritas Mallorca currently counts on the help of 872 volunteers and 75 employees.