The Berakah program, linked to the Church, cuts the light to an impoverished family in Vitoria-Gasteiz
- The family has been without electricity for ten days and has violated the moratorium that is in force at the state level, according to the Auzo Bizi housing network. They say that attitudes similar to those of Berakah are "the usual" in the country.
The Berakah programme has several initiatives and infrastructures in the Casco Viejo de Vitoria-Gasteiz, including housing. In one of them, the Chanila, Robenson and two minors have lived for one year. At a press conference in the neighborhood, Bizi explained that in January Berakah changed “suddenly” the conditions imposed on the family and demanded “hiding information” about the payment of electricity, “how to inform by WhatsApp of the amount to pay, not to have an official invoice...”.
The housing network has explained that the family has been willing to make payments at all times, but "provided there is an official document that is on their behalf". This attitude has led Berakah to ensure that "he has threatened in recent months" his family, in the last ten days, until he has cut off his light. They have stressed that what has been done is illegal, because it "violates" the ban on suspending basic supplies in force in the CVA. In the neighborhood, Bizi has denounced that the presence of two minors in the house aggravates the event and has reported that the fire originated in the early hours of Wednesday: "Fortunately, it didn't end in the tragedy," added Lehendakari.
Interpellation of Berakahri and institutions
Chanila and Robenson explained at the press conference this Friday that they have "exhausted" all the ways to restore electricity. The family has contacted the Berakah program, the Social Services of the City of Vitoria-Gasteiz and the Police, but “none of them has shown interest in solving the problem and have told them they can do nothing”.
In the neighborhood, Bizi demands Berakah to re-establish the light "immediately" to his family. On the contrary, they have asked the City Hall of Vitoria-Gasteiz to offer a new home to Chanila, Robenson and his children as long as the "illegal conditions" are maintained. “No one without electricity,” claimed the neighborhood network.
“It’s not an isolated case”
“We have seen attitudes similar to those of Berakah, and their practices against fundamental rights are common, especially against those who suffer most from class conditions and the laws of foreigners,” said Auzo Bizi. They have recalled that the program is an initiative driven by the four parishes of the Casco Viejo to help “supposedly” the most disadvantaged people. Berahka was born in 2006, manages in the neighborhood many buildings and dwellings, and there are hundreds of impoverished vitorians who come to their housing, food and leisure programs. Besides being the support of the Christian church of the neighborhood and the city, it receives resources from public institutions such as the Fundación Vital or the City Hall of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Specifically, in Auzo Bizi has criticized that the City of Vitoria-Gasteiz uses Berakah's activity to "not fulfil its responsibilities with these neighbors".
?? Return the light to Chanila, Robenson and his family. No one without light? Chanila and Robenson are neighbors of the Casco Viejo and live in a home of @programaberakah. Over 10 days ago, they were cut off from the house. [Thread?] pic.twitter.com/17x1r2vS8k
— Etxean Bizi Housing Network in the neighborhood (@arratia.com) April 1, 2022
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