Statistics show that food prices have increased by 33% over the past three years. The Salvation Army also reports an increase in loneliness at Christmas.
More and more Norwegians are facing increasing precariousness. The impact is visible in the increasingly long queues for Christmas relief from the Salvation Army.
According to the organization’s poverty index, one in five Norwegians struggles to make ends meet. This week, the Salvation Army will distribute Christmas food boxes to 1,400 Norwegian families.
“I never thought I would become someone who needed help in this way, so for me it’s been a long journey. Just walking through the door,” explains Tone Rose, recipient of social benefits.
After years of rising prices, more and more people are coming to the Salvation Army for help.
Most people who apply to her also receive benefits from the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration.
The charity is appealing to the government.
“Support rates are unreasonably low, and we’re seeing it. Our queues are getting longer and more people need help. So the call to action is that support rates social needs to be increased”alerts Elin Westby Herikstad, deputy director of social services.
This year, the financial difficulties encountered during Christmas particularly affect families with children.
Earlier this year, the Norwegian National Institute for Consumer Research published a report concluding the need to increase social assistance.
