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Published Tuesday, May 19,
2020
3,000-plus
community associationshelp impoverished families By the A.M. Costa Rica staff More than 3,000 community development associations are registered in the country to now work in a humanitarian assistance program for impoverished families due to the national emergency caused by covid-19, announced the government on Monday. The humanitarian assistance program is coordinated by the National Emergency Commission and other public institutions. The participation of community associations in the humanitarian assistance operation is essential since they live with population groups directly and know first-hand their needs, said Alexander Solís, president of the Commission. Community associations will be in charge of surveying impoverished families in the community as well as the delivery of food and cleaning products. The money for the purchase of food and cleaning products are obtained with the funds raised by the campaigns developed by the government. "Con vos podemos" is a campaign collecting donations to help impoverished people who have been affected by the emergency caused by the covid -19. The motto, "with you we can" was created by the government along with other public institutions. The community associations will also enable their operation centers and buildings, in case of national emergency attention. In these operational centers, feeding areas for impoverished people will be enabled. In the case of elderly residents, food will be delivered to their homes. Also, the community associations will be in charge of managing the communal food banks for the reception and exchange of food. The goal is to give priority to the purchase of local products to improve the community's economic recovery. In addition, community associations may have access to funds for the purchase and distribution of food, which originated with 2% of the Income Tax collected by the Ministry of Finance to be used in emergency care. With these funds, the community associations will be able to pay the expenses to purchase food, cleaning kits, fuel payments, public services, surveillance among other operating expenses. Also, the associations can manage their own funds generated through activities promoted by the same community organization. In the cases where there is no community association in a specific area, authorities will coordinate the aid with the local municipality, said the Commission in its statement. Towns that do not have any community associations, but have a strong group of neighbors who are interested in creating one, the information on requirements can be reached at the National Directorate for Community Development, known as DINADECO, website.  On May 3, Almost 50 thousand food packages had already been delivered, the National Emergency Commission reported. An estimated 107,667 food packages are being scheduled to be delivered to families living in poverty caused by the economic crisis created by the series of preventive measures ordered by the government to try and contain the expansion of covid-19 in the country. Through fundraising campaigns, “Con vos podemos” and the National Emergency funds, 49,667 food packages were delivered. Prioritizing elders, families in extreme poverty and people with disabilities were the first serviced, said Alexander Solís, president of the Commission. Food was also delivered to populations most affected by the suspension, dismissal, or inability to exercise economic activities, as well as those isolated for sanitary orders issued by the government through the Ministry of Health. Food packages include grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes, among other basic foods that are purchased with money from the National Emergency Fund, in addition to the funds raised by the “Con vos podemos” donation campaign. According to the authorities, the Emergency Fund plus the money raised has been used to deliver food to 4,650 families. ------------------------ Do you know of a place where residents have not yet organized a community association? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
