The Luxembourg Red Cross released its annual report Thursday, revealing a troubling observation: while a record 5,800 people regularly used its social grocery stores in 2024 – a 26% increase from 2021 – donations have declined significantly. The organisation attributes this drop to eroded public trust following the Caritas scandal.
“Poverty indicators are worsening alarmingly”, said Director Michel Simonis, noting 26% of households with children now face financial strain. Housing assistance requests have surged concurrently, prompting new projects including 25 flats set to open in Schoos by December for approximately 100 beneficiaries.
Despite fundraising challenges, Communications Head Dominique Hansen emphasised transparency efforts to rebuild confidence.
Internationally, Simonis lamented that humanitarian workers are increasingly facing lethal risks as states are no longer respecting the Geneva Convention.
