At the Centre of Social Work in Murska Sobota last year more than 7,800 received social relief, and more than 3,600 persons received emergency assistance. The upward trend is continuing this year as well.

The rate of unemployment in the Pomurje region is the consequence of bankruptcy of some larger company as Aha Mura, Nafta Petrochem, Prevent, Agroservis ... and has again exceeded 20%. In this way more and more people find themselves in severe financial distress, poverty threatens many. At the Centre of Social Work in Murska Sobota the number of persons receiving social assistance grew by almost 1,100 persons compared to last year, and the number of those receiving child allowance was higher by 800. According to Nataša Meolič, head of the centre, every day more and more people need help.

27 municipalities of the Pomurje region also distributed monetary assistance, and the Centre of Social Work arranged camps, swimming and similar activities for a large number of children who otherwise would not be able to participate. In the region along the Mura river there is also more need for assisting the elderly, and for more state scholarships. The poverty is more and more noticeable.

Last year 16 families remained without a roof above their heads due to forced evictions, Meolič said, but in the Pomurje region they would need additional programmes and of course also funds to help people in distress, caused by both financial and psychological problems.

Lidija Kosi, Radio Slovenija
Translated by G. K.