Over 160 thousand requests for help from the diocesan Caritas of Cagliari in 2023 . These are the data that emerge from the dossier "A charity open to the world" , presented this morning, and which confirm the growth of poverty also in the vast area .
The canteen service alone provided 98,151 thousand meals (from October 2022 to September 2023) with a daily average of 272 meals. The canteens of Settimo San Pietro, Sinnai and Maracalagonis managed to churn out a total of 34,740. Not to mention similar services such as that of the nuns of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, of the Good Shepherd, in Quartu Sant'Elena or in Elmas.
The diocesan assistance center distributed more than 12 thousand parcels (+29.5%), the "Kepos" center which deals with migrants had 1,289 contacts (+3%) while there were 1,319 medical visits to the clinic, with over 100 children visited. To these must be added all the contacts of the other services, which are more than 50.
The number of women who turn to Caritas is increasing, but so is the number of men who launch their desperate emergency with problems related to family relationships, often alone and unemployed. Most of the applicants are Sardinian.
Among the nationalities there is a strong increase in Ukrainians but also in Africans. The number of elderly people is growing, currently standing at 13.3% (it was just 7.6% in 2018, so it has almost doubled). Divorcees are growing, albeit slightly, especially among women. Among foreigners, the number of homeless people is increasing sharply. Those with a higher education qualification represent almost a quarter of the total. Educated women are especially increasing. 25% of applicants have an income that is clearly insufficient to support their family.
Listening continues to be the greatest request, while interventions focus both on the provision of goods and services and on listening. The dossier also contains testimonies of struggle and hope. Like that of Paolo: after more than four years in prison, at 68 years old, he wants to offer something to others: «Today one of my desires as a new and free man is to lend a hand to those in need: this is why I asked to volunteer ».
