Socioeconomics

An alarming 90 percent of children have expressed concerns about the welfare of their family members, 62 percent expressed fear of parental unemployment, and 57 percent expressed worries about the state of the economy, according to a recent study by Istanbul Bilgi University.

Even though Milan Krajniak, the minister for labour, social affairs and family, recently vowed to compile a proposal to aid approximately 50,000 people in need who have been unable to cover their expenses due to high levels of inflation, Karova and her colleagues are afraid that some of the most vulnerable homeless people will not be able to benefit from the aid.

Alexandra Kárová

The Athens municipality on Wednesday opened the capital's first halfway house for homeless people who are addicted to drugs or other substances.

Municipal worker Ioannis Chrysanthakopoulos, 39, carries goods for pensioner Vassiliki Chalari, 83, as part of the Athens Municipality's "Help at Home Plus" program that has been extended to members of vulnerable groups, including the elderly, who face particular challenges during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Seeking to provide decent living conditions for hundreds of homeless people in the Greek capital, the municipality of Athens on Wednesday opened the doors of a new shelter which can host up to 400 people.

As authorities strive to ensure that Greeks comply with a lockdown imposed on Monday, the City of Athens is stepping up its efforts to help homeless citizens who do not have the option of self-isolating and those on low incomes who attend City Hall's food distributions.

Elderly homeless people are awaiting help as they still have no roof over their heads, despite a curfew imposed specifically for people over the age of 65 and those with chronic illnesses due to the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

Stating that he has been living in the streets for 35 years on and off, Alaattin Arslan said that he is experiencing coronavirus anxiety.

The City of Athens is stepping up efforts to help the homeless by increasing access to social workers and upgrading services.

The municipality's Center for Reception and Solidarity (KYADA) has doubled staff shifts on the streets, ensuring the homeless are assisted daily from morning until 10 p.m.

A 68-year-old homeless man was found dead in a house in the northern suburb of Halandri in Athens which caught fire on Wednesday night, state-run news agency ANA-MPA reported Thursday.

The fire service's investigative division believe the blaze likely started from the candles the man had lit to keep warm in the house where he found refuge.

For years, Abu Ali sold used furniture and home appliances for a living. But he never thought Syria's war would one day make him homeless and force him to sell his own.