Today, Eurodiaconia presents its policy briefing and recommendations paper titled Protecting the vulnerable – supporting our people. The document comes as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and provides information about the experience and observations of our member organisations who are at the forefront of the fight against the disease. The paper also includes a set of policy recommendations aimed at supporting social service providers at regional, national and European levels to ensure that people living at the margins of society are not left behind in these unusually challenging times.

The spread of COVID-19 across the world in the past few months has put unprecedented pressure on the social and economic systems of all European Union Member States. As the pandemic begins to unfold on the continent, vulnerable citizen groups are exposed to an even higher risk of harm and exclusion. These specific issues require tailored approach and targeted solutions.
Building on the experience and observations of our members, this publication offers an insight into the practical problems in the field as seen through the eyes of diaconal institutions and suggests recommendations for policy actions to support social service providers and protect the most vulnerable.

Diaconal institutions are among the social service providers who are at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. As such their input is a valuable insight into less-noticed aspects of the pandemic and a source of potential solutions to protect not only the general population but also those people living at the margins of society for whom the risk of being left behind is now especially high.

 

Find more on our members’ response to COVID-19 and our recommendations on our latest Policy Briefing.