MOSCOW, November 13 (Sputnik) — Over 84 percent of financially and socially vulnerable Spaniards assisted by the Red Cross ran the risk of poverty in 2013, the Spanish Red Cross said Thursday in its annual report.
The report on Social Vulnerability in Spain revealed that over 65 percent of these people are unemployed. Among them more than 64 percent do not have any social coverage or benefits.
Almost 78 percent of those who get Red Cross assistance are forced to survive without income or with an income below the poverty line.
According to the report, the average monthly income of the vulnerable is 555 euros ($ 692) per person, compared with 1,615 euros earned monthly by the average Spanish worker. Across the European Union this sum amounts to 1,916 euros.
The report also said that almost 35 percent of financially and socially unstable Spaniards had difficulties covering basic medical expenses last year. They were unable to afford to buy medicines no longer covered by Spanish Social Security or pay for routine dental treatment.
In 2013, 2.5 million people received Red Cross assistance for social and employment programs.
The Spanish Red Cross is a non-governmental organization with more than 700 offices around Spain. In 2012, the organization launched beneficiary programs to support those in need affected by the economic and social crisis in Spain. The programs comprised food-relief, poverty aids, housing support, assistance for elderly and disabled people and job-seeking assistance for vulnerable groups.
