Covid-19 and the fight against poverty

Europe is going through extraordinarily difficult times. The short term impacts of Covid19 on people’s lives as well as the economy are catastrophic, and the medium – long term impacts likely to be equally, if not more so. Millions of people’s jobs, income and living standards are at risk, as they fall back on inadequate unemployment benefits or income support, whilst faced with rising costs, rents and bills. The progress we have seen in recent years on poverty reduction in Europe is under threat. Without strong and decisive action, millions more people throughout Europe risk being pulled into poverty.

This is why we need both short term and long term actions to first protect workers, income, families and children and to empower our health systems and then to ensure that all Europeans are able to access quality, affordable or free healthcare. It is crucial that the current measures have an anti-poverty impact. We are hoping that the crisis will lead to the establishment of a more social and equal society.

We present you here a selection of statements, responses, reactions to this current crisis, from EAPN, members, EU Institutions, other partners,… and more inspiring literature to help us reflect on how we can overcome the current situation and evolve to a more social and equal society!