The economic crisis has left Eastern European countries bleeding. According to Eurostat, almost a third of Hungary's population is at risk of poverty. Lithuania, with an unemployment rate of 13.8%, is cutting unemployment benefits, pensions and public sec

Reporter: From economic to social crisis in Eastern Europe

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Nearly 80 million people in the EU   live below the poverty line.

The economic crisis hit hardest   in the Eastern countries.

Unemployed and often   living alone with children,

in the European Year   Against Poverty and Social Exclusion.

EuroparlTV reports   from Lithuania and Hungary.

Over 600,000 people required food aid   in Lithuania last year,

Lithuania is in the worst recession   since the 1990s

and the economic crisis   is becoming a social crisis.

Unemployment rose to 13.8%   by the end of 2009,

Many families rely on food aid   from Caritas to survive.

We don't have enough food   to hand out this year,

as the number of people   doubled from last year,

Lijandra Garniene is queuing up today   outside Caritas.

She's an unemployed mother of four.   Her husband is also unemployed.

The family live in a one-room apartment   of 28 square metres

Air mattresses and sofas   serve as ad hoc beds in the living room.

The family's only income is social welfare   benefits, and food aid is vital.

They survive on 91 euros   per person per month.

We wouldn't be able to survive, physically,   without these food packages.

If we make an effort, there is   enough food for us for two days.

If we didn't have this food package,   we couldn't survive.

Lithuania has until 2012   to reduce their budget deficit

EU Finance Ministers have granted   more time to Vilnius.

To tackle the deficit,   the government announced cuts

to public sector wages,   pensions and unemployment benefits.

The picture in Lithuania is mirrored   in other Eastern countries.

In EU countries, the poverty line is set   at 60% of the national median income.

In Hungary this represents   414 euros per month

for a family of two adults   and two children.

Andrea lives in Szentistván, a village   in the Northeast of the country.

She's as a mentor assistant   for Roma integration projects

Andrea was divorced 15 years ago   and has to raise her three sons alone.

Each month she has a balance   of 630 euros,

including her salary and social benefits.

It is not much to sustain a family of four.

and we can grow the raw material   that we need in the kitchen.

These fruits and vegetables   are from there.

But food is very expensive.   We spend a lot on it.

and any unexpected expense   could tip them over the edge.

At the end of the month   it sometimes happens

that we run out of money   and cannot pay the bills.

We really need to plan our budget   to be able to pay the bills.

Andrea cannot afford petrol for her car,

so she has to get up at 5am   every morning to take the bus to work.

In Hungary about 12% of the population   is at risk of poverty according to Eurostat.

Facing a dramatic crisis, Hungary   received 20 billion euros in 2008