The Italian government has designated €400m (£358m) for food vouchers amid brewing social unrest as the country’s coronavirus lockdown takes its toll on the poor.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte made the announcement late on Saturday after reports emerged of people in the south running out of food and money. He said that €4.3bn would immediately be made available to mayors to help their citizens and another €400m would go towards an emergency food-relief fund.
“We know that many suffer, but the state is there,” Conte said.
Italy is currently the EU country worst affected by a coronavirus and its economy has been severely damaged. The government approved a €25bn financial package earlier this month to safeguard the economy.
The entire country has been under lockdown for almost three weeks. The quarantine was due to end on 3 April, but will likely be extended.