We interviewed Olga Diaz Escalona, Deputy Director of the Social Inclusion Knowledge Area at the Red Cross, to talk about the situation of families at risk of social exclusion in Spain, the important work the organization has done to mitigate the social consequences of the pandemic, and the impact of the donation of 55,000 LILLYDOO diapers.

1- Sometimes we think we have to go very far to help… What is the situation in Spain regarding families at risk of exclusion?

. The at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate (AROPE), according to the latest Living Conditions Survey (ECV) conducted by the INE in 2020, shows that during 2020 the AROPE rate was 26.4% of the resident population in Spain, compared to 25.3% the previous year. The increase in the AROPE rate occurred in two of its three components, specifically the percentage of the population in severe material deprivation, which rose from 4.7% to 7.0%, and the percentage of the population at risk of poverty, which increased from 20.7% to 21.0%. .

2-How has the coronavirus crisis affected this situation in Spain? What has been your action plan in response to the health emergency?

Thanks to the donations received, the Red Cross has continued to actively contribute to reducing the social and health impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To that end, we launched the Cruz Roja RESPONDE Plan in March 2020.

The Red Cross RESPONDE Plan has been the largest mobilization of resources and capacities in the organization’s history, made possible by the dedication and commitment of more than 76,000 volunteers and the unconditional support of partners, as well as the assistance of thousands of companies and entities. In the first phase of the RESPONDE Plan (Emergency Phase), we strengthened all our emergency response mechanisms, such as transportation for affected people, accompaniment for people with basic needs, a multichannel COVID-19 information and prevention line, telephone follow-up for dependent individuals, provision of basic medical supplies, construction of temporary hospital infrastructure, and other actions made available to citizens and public administrations. During this Emergency Phase, we served more than 1,800,000 people across the entire territory, mainly vulnerable individuals and families (e.g., elderly people, families in poverty, unemployed individuals, …).

Subsequently, we activated a second phase of the RESPONDE Plan intervention, called the "Stabilization and Recovery Phase," with the aim of restoring the living conditions of individuals and families, primarily by promoting the changes needed to improve their well-being.

We are currently continuing to support individuals and families by covering basic needs. So far, we have already carried out:

+ 1,200,000 food deliveries to vulnerable people and families.

+ 1 million deliveries of medical products, including masks.

+ 350 million hygiene product deliveries.

+ 450 million in economic aid for basic needs coverage.

+ 19,000 financial aid measures for situations of energy poverty.

3-The profiles of families facing difficulties are very different, but what characterizes them?

The snapshot of social vulnerability among the people served through the RESPONDE Plan shows very concerning indicators, including, among others, the risk of poverty and exclusion, material deprivation, difficulties related to housing and access to social protection systems, and a significant impact on health—clinically and socially, and even epidemiologically—largely due to the weight of the social determinants of health. These are the main profiles of people who have remained throughout the pandemic: 64% of the people we serve are women, of whom 30% are women aged between 25 and 54 years with children, and another 30% are people over 60 years old.

4-How does childhood poverty impact the area of pediatric maternity and birth rate?

This UNICEF document contains the recommendations and conclusions made by .

• Spain is one of the EU countries with the highest levels of child poverty. Its increase during the 2008 crisis was linked to the lack of a stable income guarantee network.

• The first impact of the pandemic has been greater in households with boys and girls, with the risk of increased material deprivation and the chronic nature of poverty at early ages.

• The pandemic makes it urgent to establish monetary family reconciliation aid in households with low income and a high risk of unemployment, such as single-parent families and large families.

• Emergency measures can prevent some of the effects of the 2008 crisis from recurring in households with children.

5-How many families could benefit from the donation of 55,000 LILLYDOO diapers?

Approximately 280 to 300 families could benefit.

6-What other basic necessities can be of great help to these families?

Families with young children, in addition to hygiene product needs such as diapers, also need support in covering other basic needs, such as food, sanitary products, clothing, as well as assistance in facing situations of energy poverty.

7-How can we collaborate as citizens to help these families at risk of social exclusion?

We can all support the people closest to us who are in a vulnerable situation (e.g., family members, friends, neighbors, …) by offering something as simple as information and/or accompaniment, so they can learn about the different available options and support resources, including public resources (e.g., social services, …) and private resources (NGOs, parishes, …).

8- What are the main projects that the Red Cross is carrying out in the field of social inclusion in Spain?

The Red Cross runs social projects to address situations of extreme social and economic vulnerability, as well as specific social programs for the elderly, women in social difficulty, immigrants, and refugees, among others, in order to meet the needs of vulnerable people.

9-What are the main projects you are leading in other areas such as Climate Change?

Currently, in the area of environmental studies, we have a project called “Moving for Energy Saving,” through which we distribute energy-saving kits, make small improvements to homes, provide information about the social bonus, and offer training in energy conservation.

10-What do you need to do to become a Red Cross volunteer?
And
to become a member?

You can visit your nearest Red Cross office, and/or you can also call 900.22.11.22 and/or access our website and fill out this form: .