The Canary Islands Government announced plans to increase funding for organisations assisting vulnerable individuals, particularly through a new social concert scheme. Candelaria Delgado, the regional Minister of Social Welfare, made the announcement during a visit to the office of Médecins du Monde in Las Palmas.
Delgado aims for this initiative to gradually expand across the archipelago, hoping to establish the social concert model as a standard practice in all of the Canary Islands, similar to what has already been implemented in Lanzarote.
The push for this model seeks to enhance financial support for social entities, thereby improving their assistance to the most vulnerable groups. Médecins du Monde is one such organisation receiving backing from the Canary Government.
Felisa Suárez, the organisation’s regional coordinator, noted that Médecins du Monde has received approximately £200,000 a year from the government recently, funding seven projects aimed at supporting migrants, homeless individuals, and women in prostitution.
The group primarily focuses on women, both local and migrant, due to their significant representation among those they help. This is particularly true in the context of prostitution, where Suárez highlighted that “the face of prostitution is almost exclusively female.”
The organisation also emphasises assistance for homeless women, whose situation is often overlooked compared to that of men living on the streets. Suárez remarked, “Unfortunately, when working with homeless people, attention often centres on men, which can invisibilise the reality of homeless women.”
Homeless women face heightened risks, including sexual violence. Suárez explained that this vulnerability compounds their difficulties, making their situation even more precarious.
Médecins du Monde’s efforts focus on issues such as sexual violence, sexual and reproductive rights, and access to healthcare. Suárez stated, “Our intervention centres on sexual violence, sexual and reproductive rights, and access to health.”
Annually, the organisation assists around 2,500 individuals through initiatives supported by the Canary Government. This year, they have already helped 1,700 people, exceeding figures from previous years at this time.
While Suárez noted that the number might not significantly rise due to the organisation’s commitment to quality care, she stressed that adequate support for vulnerable populations remains critical. “Unfortunately, vulnerabilities are widespread, but we strive to ensure quality care,” she remarked.
Suárez underscored the importance of public funding for these programmes, stating that the Canary Government’s financial support constitutes roughly 20% of Médecins du Monde’s annual budget in the region.
