Deena Tissera: Council bosses in denial of 'humanitarian crisis' in Aberdeen
The Labour Councillor says the money is there, but it needs used
Last updated 29th Jul 2022
Labour Councillor Deena Tissera is calling on the administration to award ÂŁ500,000 of support local foodbanks.
The cost of living crisis has plunged more people into food poverty in Aberdeen resulting in empty shelves in foodbanks.
With the energy price cap set to rise in October, there are fears that even more people in the city could be forced to use emergency food services.
Cllr Tissera told Northsound News that that is "absolutely scary", adding that the city is facing a "real humanitarian crisis".
"There is an increased need for support for food banks right now.
"We're going into food poverty here in Aberdeen. The food banks are really struggling - there's empty shelves and there's no donations coming in.
"More and more people are falling into poverty because the cost of living crisis so I raised an emergency motion with the council to allocate ÂŁ500,000 for foodbanks.
"The problem is the council bosses are in denial of the crisis.
"This is an emergency and there's a real humanitarian crisis that's happening right now - it's absolutely scary."
'The money is there'
Cllr Tissera claimed that the SNP/Lib Dem administration are denying the food crisis in the city.
She's been volunteering with local charity Street Friends, who offer food and drinks to homeless people in the city.
"Aberdeen is the food bank capital of Scotland, there is a massive issue of food poverty here is a worrying issue.
"Food poverty is a third world issue but now it's here in Scotland and we need to really focus on eradicating this problem. There is money there.
"There's 35 million in in the common good fund and 20 million in cash reserves with over one million in under-spend from last year.
"On top of the 560 million pound budget annual budget that we have, the is money there."
Aberdeen City Council have been approached for a comment.