"Argentinians and tourists walking the streets of Buenos Aires are used to the large rubbish containers placed beneath the neoclassical and art nouveau buildings of the country's capital and wealthiest city. A more observant passerby, however, might notice a recent addition: a red warning placed by the city government reading Danger, do not enter, accompanied by a pictogram showing a person halfway inside. Unfortunately, it's a safety measure, said Evelyn Bierbrauer, who works with Manos Abiertas, an NGO supporting people experiencing homelessness."
"The number of people living on the streets of Buenos Aires has been breaking records: there were at least 4,522 in May, according to the latest municipal data a figure some say is underestimated, but still a 38% increase compared with November 2023. For Juan Nunez, who works at the NGO Hogar de Cristo, the rise is driven by the country's economic situation."
"Since the far-right president, Javier Milei, took office in December 2023 and implemented his chainsaw austerity plan, inflation has fallen from more than 200% to about 30% annually but more than 200,000 formal jobs have been lost, 18,000 businesses have closed, household debt has risen and buying power has collapsed. Despite most socioeconomic indicators showing no improvement in living standards, the libertarian's party, La Libertad Avanza (LLA), won the recent midterm elections by a wide margin"
Large rubbish containers beneath Buenos Aires buildings have become shelters where people search for food and sometimes sleep, prompting city warnings forbidding entry for safety. Homelessness in Buenos Aires reached at least 4,522 people in May, a 38% rise since November 2023, with some experts saying official figures underestimate the total. The surge is linked to Argentina's deepening economic crisis, massive formal job losses, thousands of business closures, rising household debt and collapsed buying power despite reduced inflation. Government austerity measures under President Javier Milei have coincided with these shifts. NGOs report increased demands for support and serious public-safety and humanitarian challenges.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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