The number of new requests for help to AMI – International Medical Assistance increased by 46% in the first quarter of this year and by 53% in cases of homeless people compared to the same period last year, the institution announced today.
AMI specifies that its social services supported 5.409 people in a situation of social vulnerability in the first quarter, of which 533 sought support for the first time, an increase of 46% compared to the same period in 2022.
Of the people supported, 50% are men (2.692) and 50% are women (2717), with the majority being of working age, between 16 and 66 years old (70%), followed by children under 16 years old (21% ) and those over 66 years old (7%).
The majority (79%) are from Portugal and 6% from Portuguese Speaking African Countries (PALOP).
With regard to employment, 43% of people aged over 16 do not have any professional activity and 41% have no professional training.
According to AMI, economic resources come mainly from social supports such as the RSI – Social Insertion Income (18%), pensions and retirements (10%), subsidies and institutional support (5%).
“Although 8% [of people] have income from work, these are precarious and insufficient”, says the institution, in a statement.
As for the number of homeless people, AMI points out that it reached 873 people (14% more compared to the first quarter of 2022), with 142 new cases having been registered (53% more compared to the same period last year).
The institution also adds that the AMI Street Teams supported 173 homeless people in the first quarter (30% more compared to the same period in 2022), of which 46 were supported for the first time.
With regard to the services provided by AMI's social equipment in Portugal, 1.312 of the people accompanied benefited from Social Support, 1.343 were supported with the distribution of food and 600 people resorted to the cafeteria service.
The cafeteria service, according to AMI, is «one of the most used in this first quarter, with a total of 40.043 meals served in the Porta Amiga Centres, Night Shelters and Home Support Service».
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