No discrimination in food distribution - ministry

The Resources Ministry yesterday denied claims that there is racial or sexual discrimination in the food allocation scheme.

The ministry issued a statement after Fr Dionysius Mintoff - founder of the Peace Lab in Ħal Far, which houses immigrants - complained that the distribution of food in Malta discriminated against immigrants.

The ministry said the criteria for food distribution had been in place since the start of the scheme in 2005. The criteria, established by the EU, is that the scheme should benefit those who fall below the basic standard of living, those in non-governmental institutions and those requiring social assistance. "These criteria have been followed since 2005 and this can be confirmed by parochial offices and non-governmental groups who, together with the YMCA, work to enable this distribution," the ministry said. When stocks were limited, people who present a social certificate, orphanages and other institutions that care for those unable to look after themselves were given precedence.

"The competent authority has always been willing to consider the cases of people or families who sought assistance, even if they did not meet the criteria. This goes to show that this scheme does not employ discrimination based on race, sex or nationality," the ministry said.