Social issues linked to COVID-19: Actions plans of the Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity

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In particular, the DCSS action plan aims to provide a response to the social emergency, maintain ties with senior citizens, support young people and facilitate access to services for everyone. The social crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on precarious living conditions that have long remained hidden. Hundreds of people are no longer able to feed or house themselves. Senior citizens are suffering from solitude while numerous young people are showing disturbing signs of decompensation.

Responding to the social emergency

From the very outbreak of the health crisis, the City of Geneva has implemented food distribution operations in collaboration with la Caravane de Solidarité, the State, les Colis du cœur and the Partage Foundation. This commitment continues today, with the provision of the Palladium for the distribution operations organised by les Colis du cœur.

The meals distributed by the social clubs, which are currently only available for take-away, will be served in the Plainpalais community centre. Almost 140 breakfasts are distributed every morning and some 250 meals are served at midday, 7 days a week.

Maintaining ties with senior citizens

Senior citizens are afraid not only for their own health but also for that of their loved ones. In order to prevent the risk of senior citizens becoming isolated, the DCSS is reactivating the free “Solidarité 65+” hotline and the 0800 22 55 11 number providing tangible daily help for people over the age of 65. Furthermore, a partnership has been established with the Geneva Red Cross to organise free home visits made by supervised and trained volunteers.

Accompanying young people

Since the beginning of the health crisis, young people have been penalised by more difficult access to employment opportunities and a reduction in the supply of evening leisure activities, pushing them to make greater use of public areas which are necessarily restricted. The DCSS calls on its partners to encourage companies, public institutions and associations to recruit young people. Furthermore, the team of social outreach workers is present in the field to disseminate prevention messages linked to COVID-19 and how to live together. Finally, a partnership has been established with the association Nuit Blanche? to implement a targeted action on the Plaine de Plainpalais.

Facilitating access to services

To combat the non-use of services, the action plan provides for enhanced social and socio-health information, in particular vis-à-vis the most fragile sections of the population. The DCSS develops the dissemination of information in several languages to people making use of the emergency shelters and food distribution operations. Furthermore, a social office is present at the food distribution sites in coordination with associative partners.

Protecting children and supporting families

The pandemic increases the vulnerability of children living in poverty. Particular attention is therefore paid to the food security of very young children. Furthermore, access to extracurricular services will be facilitated and the possibility of free homework assistance will be promoted among the families.

Supporting citizen initiatives

The DCSS action plan supports citizen initiatives and adapts the public services to this period of crisis. A call for projects has been issued with the aim of unearthing innovative ideas, in particular relating to families, young people and senior citizens. The projects selected could be implemented during the first half of 2021.

In the current context, the Civil Registry Office is increasing its online services while the Undertakers, Cemeteries and Crematorium Service has adapted its services in order to accompany families in mourning in the best possible conditions. In the early childhood structures, major efforts have been made to ensure that children are provided with care in accordance with the health norms.

The magistrate responsible for the Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity stresses that this action plan and these tangible measures must make it possible to provide particularly close accompaniment for those people most exposed to the consequences of the social crisis.