EU approves €4 million programme to aid Malta’s poor

The European Commission has officially approved a programme through which Malta will receive €3.9 million between 2014 and 2020 from the new Fund for the European Aid to the Most Deprived. This will be complemented with a further €600,000 in national funds.

“I warmly welcome the FEAD programme for Malta, which will offer much needed support to those in the most trying situation,” said Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility. “I am confident that the programme will help Malta to advance towards its target of lifting more than 6,500 people out of poverty by 2020.”

On his part, EU Funds Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg said that this new programme will provide households living in or close to poverty with food packages.

“This does not simply represent a sign of solidarity with deprived families but it will also help combat poverty and aims at improving standards of living,” he said. “At the same time, it will also contribute to meet the EU 2020 target of reducing the number of people in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion.”

He added that a call will be issued for partner organisations to carry out food deliveries.