The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has reported that it received approximately 15,000 calls for help during March with Covid-19 measures cited frequently by callers in the last week of the month.
"There have been some harrowing messages received with a lot of people experiencing stress, anxiety and dealing with social isolation”, said SVP national president Kieran Stafford.
Mr Stafford said; “We are continuing to work with and advise government through the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection as well as utility companies, on ways to alleviate the worst effect on those struggling financially, in particular lone parents who have been finding the additional cost associated with children out of school, isolation, reduction in employment and creche closures."
“We are also working with the HSE, Department of health and other organisations such as the Local Authorities oversight group and many of our members are active in local community support groups which have been formed around the country..”
Calls to SVP since the Covid-19 restrictions were put in place have not increased significantly but this is as a result of SVP offices and shops having to close and requests for help confined to telephone, online and post. However, across the country requests for help are up on average by 10% for the first three months of the year as over 44,000 people have reached out to the Society for help with basics like food and fuel. SVP fear that the impact of the pandemic will be most acute for individuals and families already living in poverty and that they will be joined by thousands more in the coming weeks as the unemployment rate is expected to reach 17%.
To assist people make contact SVP has published telephone numbers and email details of its Regional Offices which are available on its social media channels.
Help can also be requested Here
“We are also extremely grateful for the donations we have received from members of the public as our shops and church gate and general collections have stopped.” said Kieran Stafford.