The French Red Cross notes an increase in young people among the volunteers who are involved

A mobilization of young volunteers which is welcome during the end-of-year holiday period when the needs are great.

“We have more than 17,000 volunteers under the age of 30 out of the 72,000 volunteers of the French Red Cross”, underlines Saturday December 23 on franceinfo Marc Vannesson, program director of the French Red Cross. He notes a strong commitment from volunteers: “We have more this year, which is very good news, especially among young people.”

Marc Vannesson recalls that the mobilization of volunteers remains an important issue, especially during the end-of-year holiday period which is “always difficult for lonely and excluded people”.

According to him, this commitment of young people can be explained by the fact that“There are many people who feel affected by inflation and who perceive that the most vulnerable are even more affected than them and want to react.” These young ones “engage in all types of missions: social assistance, marauding, food or textile distribution, first aid missions, etc.”.

Younger beneficiaries too

Another point raised by the director, the change in the profile of beneficiaries: “We note among the people who come to see us young people. Of the new people who have come to see us, half are under 25 years old”.

Element that also worries him: the increase “single women with children” in the queue of beneficiaries. “It’s a real sign of concern for us”, he confides. A development which, according to him, can be explained by inflation which has “pushes people who were at the border, at the limit, into precariousness”from where “the clear progression in 2022” meal distribution.

Finally, Marc Vannesson recalls that the French Red Cross distributes “62 million meals per year” and that the association is also affected by inflation. To cope with rising costs and the increase in the number of beneficiaries, “a campaign calling for donations” is thrown. “Even modest donations are possible. For example, with 4 euros – one euro after tax deduction – it’s a complete meal basket for one person for one day.”