The card in the photo is a card that the government has issued (paid from the NOW-policy) for people on social security.

For a single person, the social security assistance benefit is Naf 300 (€ 150.00) per month.

The card gives 75 Naf (€ 37.50) extra every 2 weeks, purely for food.

People without a contract at the time of the Corona outbreak are doomed to live on a total of 450 NAF` (€ 225.00) per month.

Renting a house on the Island costs at least 500 Naf (250.00).

This means that the right of living in any residence has been taken away from the people without family on the Island !!!!!

Besides the fact that no rent can be paid with this income, the groceries on the Island are expensive, because everything has to be flown in.

A lot of products (besides food) that are necessary to be able to live with a little quality, is not affordable for these people.

Think about:

• Phone cards / Mobile Data
• Fuel / Car Repairs
• Washing and cleaning products
• Electricity and Water bills
• Furniture / White goods / Rental debts
• Pet food / Vet costs

It is very important to have your own transport on the Island, because the bus system is too pricey for these people, a ride from one end of the island, to the other,l requires at least 2 buses… a about 3.00 Naf per bus ride.

This is 12 guilders back and forth, with the social security paycheck, you can go up and down 25 times in a month. And then there is no more money for other things.

Mobility is very important to work on a better future.

• To apply for jobs
• To visit authorities
• To maintain a network
• To do groceries, in the designated supermarkets

Nothing on the island is taken care of online, every companie needs to be visited to arrange anything.  

By obtaining this card, one is not entitled to food from the food bank, but when people still have a place to sleep, at least water and electricity will have to be paid. All this must also be done from 450 Naf (€ 225.00) per month.

A vicious circle that is hard to get out of.

The bad thing is that people don't talk about this!

As most people in this situation are ashamed of their situation, you will not hear about these horrible situations, the people are in due to Covid-19.

Help us help these people with all kinds of essentials, that are no longer affordable for them.