The soup kitchen is run by the Union of Casual Economic system Staff (UTEP), an organisation that represents workers with out contracts or in unregulated industries.
These workers make up near half of Argentina’s workforce. And poverty among the many group is excessive: Near 66 p.c are thought-about impoverished.
However teams like UTEP have repeatedly clashed with Milei’s authorities over the previous 12 months, as authorities funds have dwindled.
As soon as Milei took workplace, UTEP says the federal government stopped sending meals provides to its soup kitchens, which had been commonplace apply earlier than.
With out help from the federal authorities, the soup kitchens struggled to fulfill demand, in line with UTEP organisers. They turned as a substitute to assist from native governments and particular person donations.
“Discovering donations is a battle, so it seems like now we have to make magic to cook dinner for extra folks with the identical quantity of elements. This feels worse than through the pandemic,” mentioned Laura Gotte, 50, one of many soup kitchen’s coordinators.
She famous that public demand was outstripping provides, as poverty has elevated. “Final 12 months, we used to make 13 giant pots [of food] 3 times every week. Now we cook dinner 23 giant pots, and it’s nonetheless not sufficient.”
In February, UTEP sued Milei’s administration to pressure it to ship an estimated 6,000 tonnes of meals being saved in authorities warehouses. In October, a federal decide ruled in UTEP’s favour, however the meals has but to be delivered, because the case is being appealed.
Milei and his allies, in the meantime, have accused the soup kitchens of corruption, with out providing proof.
Advocates mentioned Milei has taken a combative strategy to social outreach programmes, even because the rising poverty charge heightens demand for his or her providers.
“There’s a demonisation of social organisations and of ladies particularly,” mentioned Fernanda Miño, 49, a group chief from La Cava, a marginalized neighbourhood within the better Buenos Aires space.
Earlier than Milei took workplace, Miño was in control of a federally funded programme to enhance infrastructure in underdeveloped areas. Its work included constructing properties, paving roads and putting in water, electrical energy and sewage service.
However funding for the programme was reduce after Milei accused Miño of corruption this 12 months. Since then, a authorities investigation has discovered no irregularities in her work.
Nonetheless, in October, armed federal police entered Miño’s home, allegedly searching for a stolen automobile. She mentioned the raid was a part of ongoing authorities harassment.
“They assault us as a result of we’re ladies and since we’re poor,” mentioned Miño, sitting in the lounge of her house in La Cava. “I resent the truth that they assume that as a result of we’re ladies from the barrios we can’t do something apart from stir a soup pot, that we are able to’t lead initiatives.”
