The great importance of the European Aid Fund for the Needy (ΤΕΒΑ) for the implementation of social policy in practice as thanks to the actions of 400,000 vulnerable Greeks (beneficiaries of the Minimum Guaranteed Income) receive free food and basic goods every month, was highlighted during today’s visit of the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Kostis Hatzidakis TEVA of the Municipality of Maroussi.
The total budget of the program financed by the NSRF amounted to 330 million euros for the period 2014-2020. With the decision of Mr. Hatzidakis, another 62 million euros were added from national resources for the two years 2021-2022 due to the emergencies caused by the pandemic, but also so that there is no “gap” until the start of the new Program for the programming period. 2021-2027, which provides another € 400 million for measures to tackle material deprivation.
During the meeting, Mr. Hatzidakis, the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Domna Michailidou and the Secretary General of Social Solidarity and Anti-Poverty George Stamatis were informed by the Mayor of Maroussi, Theodoros Abatz TEVA and those of the Social Grocery of the Municipality.
It is noted that from the specific structure (which serves the beneficiaries of Municipalities of Maroussi, Lykovrysi-Pefki, Metamorfosi, Papagou-Cholargos, Pentelis and Filothei-Psychiko) Since the beginning of the program, more than 361 tons of food and more than 68,000 pieces of basic items have been distributed to 36,500 households, corresponding to 66,170 beneficiaries.
The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Kostis Hatzidakis, stated: «The European Aid Fund for the Needy has covered 400,000 of our fellow citizens in the last 6 years. And we continue, as we have included it in the new NSRF with another 400 million euros to continue this support, with the same and even greater intensity. All this is social policy in practice. I would like to congratulate Mr. Abatzoglou for the substantial work done here and in 5 other municipalities in the area under the coordination of the Municipality of Maroussi for TEVA. Thousands of our fellow citizens need substantial support for their daily lives and it is the responsibility of both the State and and Local Government to do the best for them».
Undersecretary of Labor and Social Affairs Domna Michailidou stated: «We do not stand idly by in the face of poverty and social exclusion. Social policy is not just about benefits. It is both the services and the material help. And in this we are all together. Central State and Municipalities, with targeted measures and initiatives, we actively support all our fellow citizens, especially those who are most in need. We do not leave anyone behind».
The Secretary General of Social Solidarity and the Fight against Poverty George Stamatis stated: «TEVA is the accompanying protection net for the extremely vulnerable. It is not only the food aid, but also the accompanying services offered to all our fellow human beings in need. The beneficiaries of TEVA, the beneficiaries of the Minimum Guaranteed Income are our fellow human beings who must be supported as much as possible and connected to work. Because only then will social exclusion be lifted and we will have real integration of these people into society».
The Mayor of Maroussi Theodoros Ambatzoglou stated: «In the Municipality of Maroussi, social policy is practiced in practice. The fight against social exclusion and extreme poverty is being waged daily. We, to the best of our ability, help as a leading municipality for the Northern Sector, so that thousands of our eligible fellow citizens can receive basic necessities. We look forward to the new program to give the best we can to all these people».
What is Teva
TEVA, through the Operational Program of Food and Basic Material Assistance co-financed by the NSRF, aims to fight extreme poverty and promote the social integration of vulnerable groups, supporting actions of distribution of food and other basic necessities by providing food and other basic necessities. from an organized distribution system throughout the country – numbering 600 points – under the coordination of Municipalities and Regions
The key numbers of TEVA
• The total budget for the period 2014-2020 amounted to 330 million euros, to which was added another 62 million euros for the two years 2021-2022 due to the emergencies caused by the pandemic.
• In the new NSRF 2021-2027 and under the Managing Authority of OPECA the actions of TEVA will continue included in the sectoral Program “Human Resources and Social Cohesion 2021-2027” and in the Special Priority “Food Aid and Management”, material management EUR 400 million.
• Since the beginning of the program, 1,331 distributions have been made
• There are an average of 25 distributions each month throughout Greece, even in summer. The implementation of the program was not disrupted during the coronavirus period and continued with home deliveries
• Almost 66 million tons of food (meat, dairy, vegetables, fruits) and 23 million tons of basic material goods (household cleaning, personal hygiene items, baby items, etc.) have been distributed with special care -among others- for the homeless, children and elderly people.
• As part of the effort to make the best use of TEVA’s resources, the redistributed stocks are promoted in meals that to date have “yielded” 14 million hot meals.
• More than 210,000 of the beneficiaries of TEVA also make use of the social inclusion actions that accompany the distribution of basic goods programs. Among other things, psychosocial support services, counseling, socialization services (through creative employment activities), etc. are offered.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News
and be the first to know all the news
