As economic hardship bites across Europe, MEPs demand an increase in the new fund for Europe's most deprived people.

Aid for the needy

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/16331097/n001-130611-001-en.srt

I've been on the street for three years.

Because of that, I've lost my toes.  They all froze off.

Several months on, at this centre for  homeless men in Saarbrücken in Germany

Ralf Stuhlsatz says  he's on the road to recovery.

I've been on withdrawal treatment  from alcohol for five months.

I don't have a lot of plans. I'm 53. You  no longer have a lot of plans at that age.

There are four million  homeless people in Europe

and helping them is a key priority  for many MEPs

as they seek to replace  an expiring programme for the needy,

but not Germany itself, whose government  argues helping them is a local responsibility.

Nonetheless, organisations like Caritas,  which receives some EU money,

If it could happen in a sufficient  or appropriate manner

so that we as an organisation  could benefit

by being able to provide help  and equipment to people on site,

that would, of course,  be a positive thing.

Europe's most needy  number around 40 million,

a figure likely to grow  in view of the continuing economic crisis.

Many MEPs, including the author  of a key report, want to increase a new fund

from the proposed €2.5 billion,  spread over seven years, to €3.5 billion.

I've met many organisations  from many countries

who tell me that they are experiencing  an almost huge explosion of people

turning up at their centres  looking for assistance.

We're looking  for a €3.5 billion programme.

Is it sufficient? No, it's probably not  to deal with the crisis

but at the same time  it's an important tool.

Other MEPs say they need to send a strong  signal of support to Europe's citizens.

All our fellow citizens in Europe  are watching us,

the Parliament  and the political groups.

The value that we share  is that of social solidarity.

Welcome words doubtless in Saarbrücken.

There, as across Europe, the breadth  of demand from the neediest is on the rise

and any help is and will be  well received.