An increasing number of Australians feel forced to skip meals, eat from rubbish bins and forgo prescription medications, as growing financial hardship traps many in a “prison of poverty”. Source: Yahoo News.
Research from the Salvation Army found desperation is rising, and demand for support services has surged as more individuals and families struggle to make ends meet.
The head of the Salvation Army’s external communications, Bruce Harmer, said a large cohort within the community could not afford daily basic needs.
“We’ve been amazed at how much need is in the community and how raw and tactile it is,” he told AAP.
“It is truly shocking in a country like Australia that we are seeing these devastating numbers. No one should be forced to eat expired food or to eat out of rubbish bins.”
The survey released yesterday found 57 per cent of people could not afford prescription medication and one in 20 people reported eating from rubbish bins.
It found 62 per cent of parents reported going without food so their children could eat, while 43 per cent could not afford essentials such as baby formula and nappies.
More than 3.3 million people live below the poverty line, according to the 2022 Poverty in Australia Snapshot by the Australia Council of Social Service.
“Living in poverty and struggling to make ends meet has a huge impact on a person’s mental health,” Mr Harmer said.
“We should be aware of that for people in a prison of poverty, there’s no way out.”
The Salvation Army data surveyed 3586 community members who had received food, financial assistance or material aid from the service.
About 90 per cent of respondents said they would not have managed without the support of the organisation.
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Surging number of Aussies stuck in ‘prison of poverty’ (By Allanah Sciberras, AAP via Yahoo News)
