Eighty percent of Roma are at risk of poverty says FRA at European Roma Platform
by Catherine MALLET
This week The EU Affairs Office attended the Annual European Platform for Roma Inclusion. The event organised by the European Commission was focussed on the theme of ‘mutual accountability’. The event was attended by Roma and pro-Roma civil society representatives from European, national and grass-roots level from across Europe as well representatives from national, regional and local authorities. The shocking results from the FRA’s recent report found that 80% of Roma interviewed were at risk of poverty compared with an EU average of 17%. 30% live in households with no tap water and 46% have no indoor toilet, shower or bathroom. 30% of Roma children live in households where someone went to bed hungry at least once in the previous month. The report is based on a survey that collected information in nine EU Member States, derived from nearly 8,000 face-to-face interviews with Roma. Click here to read more and download the full report.
Other key issues that were raised at the meeting was the concern that as a result of the refugee crisis the situation of Roma in Europe has been side-lined and resources have shifted away from Roma communities who are still facing extreme poverty. Despite a lot of disappointment that not more progress had been achieved with Roma, special representative from the Council of Europe stressed that sometimes civil society forgets achievements realized such as the recognition of anti-gyspyism which is greater than ever before and that there are many more Roma in decision making than ever before.
Representative from the European Commission said the start had been slow and that implementation of the National Roma Integration Strategies was lacking but that ownership must now be at local level. It was also highlighted by several participants that the use of EU funds allocated for Roma have still not been used efficiently or effectively and that the use of the funds need to be better monitored and more transparent.
The Salvation Army is encouraged to get involved with the National Roma Platforms to contribute in your country where they exist. To find information on the events, contact your National Roma Contact Point here. http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/files/roma_nationalcontactpoints_en.pdf
Tags: Europe