Economy
Red Cross raises alarm as people skip meals due to financial hardship
The Red Cross has distributed nearly 194,000 grocery cards this year to assist individuals struggling with rising costs, particularly for fuel and energy. Research indicates that 90% of recipients eat less or occasionally skip meals, while 66% purchase fewer products than before. Director Harm Goossens notes that many people face daily uncertainty about whether they have food, with significant difficulties paying for energy and transport. Although the organization has issued over 1.4 million cards since 2020, an Ipsos study suggests approximately 450,000 people live in hidden food poverty. The cards provide temporary relief, allowing recipients to maintain dignity and control over their purchases for three to six months.
Ozetta summarises; the reporting is the newsroom's