NOS News•today, 06:39
More and more people with serious financial problems are receiving help from the volunteer organization Humanitas. Last year there were more than 24,000. In 2022 there were still around 17,500 and in 2021 more than 13,000.
“These figures are alarming,” says Jerzy Soetekouw, director of Humanitas. “Our volunteers and coordinators see people at their lowest point. They are the first to notice that the problem is many times greater than before. Due to this financial stress, we often also see other problems arise, such as loneliness.”
According to Humanitas, people can get into debt too easily and debt can also get out of hand too quickly. “A large number of aggressive debt collection agencies work on the basis of no cure no pay, allowing companies to easily transfer their outstanding accounts. If you cannot pay a bill, it will be many times higher. A small debt can grow into a monster debt.”
The organization asked the coordinators who manage volunteers about the causes of the increasing demand for help. They mention issues such as price increases, energy costs and the aftermath of the corona crisis. They also see increasing problems among people who are not digitally skilled, especially the elderly.
‘Difficult to take a step’
One of the people who turned to Humanitas for debt help is Rozemarijn. “I had a bailiff at the door, letters, registered letters, reminders. And I lost the overview. What should I do now, where should I go, I thought.”
She is happy that she received help from a volunteer from the organization. “It is very difficult to take that step. You first try to solve things yourself. But you see those letters on the mat and secretly already know that this is something wrong.”
She is now, with help, back on track. “I first have to get out of debt and get some peace of mind again. And I have learned to enjoy small things. You can also be happy with less. But with help, make sure you get that help.” that that bit of shame is over.”
