Pljevlja pensioners request cash instead of food packages

More than 220 pensioners in Pljevlja, Montenegro, have supported a request to receive winter food aid in the form of cash rather than physical food packages. The Sloga Pensioners Association argues that monetary assistance would be more practical and better suited to their actual needs, particularly during winter when costs for heating, medicine, and other essentials increase.

Stoja Čabarkapa, president of the Sloga Association, stated that the issue is not the aid itself, but the method of delivery. She noted that the current food packages often contain items that are not needed by the recipients, and raised concerns regarding the quality, origin, and expiration dates of the products. She described some items as being too salty or fatty and noted that there is often a lack of clear information regarding their source.

Additionally, the association expressed uncertainty regarding the accuracy of the quantities provided in the packages. As alternatives, the association suggested direct cash support or municipal assistance through measures such as the cancellation of interest on debts.