Evangelical pastors in Concordia are calling on the local government to declare a food and mental health emergency due to the worsening social crisis affecting the city. The request was submitted by the United Pastors Association of Concordia (APUC) in a letter addressed to Mayor Francisco Azcué and the local City Council, according to the digital publication Elentrerios.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INDEC), poverty in Argentina reached 28.2% of the population during the second half of 2025, while extreme poverty rose to 6.3%. The official report, released in March 2026, estimated that around 13.5 million people in the country are living below the poverty line.
In their statement, the evangelical leaders warned about rising poverty, malnutrition, addiction and suicides. They said the social situation has “critically worsened” in recent months and called for urgent action to help vulnerable families.
The organization stressed that “official statistics are not just numbers,” but “human realities” affecting the community every day. They argued that current public policies are “insufficient given the magnitude of the crisis” and emphasized that protecting social welfare is a “fundamental responsibility of the state,” as reported by Redes de Noticias.
Among their main demands, APUC called for the immediate implementation of a food emergency under Provincial Law No. 11,140. They also requested a comprehensive nutritional assessment to determine the extent of malnutrition among children, seniors and other vulnerable groups in Concordia.
Pastors call for “dignified and legitimate” jobs
The pastors also urged officials to adopt policies focused on creating “dignified and legitimate” employment opportunities, as well as honoring previously signed institutional agreements, including the Pact of San Antonio de Padua and the July Pact, both local initiatives tied to social and community responsibility.
Another major point in the document was the request to declare a mental health emergency. The evangelical association expressed concern over the rise in substance abuse and suicides, describing these issues as part of the broader breakdown of the city’s social fabric.
In the letter, the religious leaders described families searching for food in garbage collection areas and people living on the streets. They argued that these problems cannot be solved through “stigmatization or displacement,” but instead require comprehensive policies that restore people’s dignity.
The pastors’ concerns come amid growing national debate over mental health care and social assistance. In recent days, several provincial organizations have also raised concerns about the state of the mental health care system and the need to strengthen public policies in this area.
Finally, the United Pastors Association of Concordia said it is not trying to “shift responsibility,” but rather to raise awareness about the urgent need for concrete action. The organization also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to support people affected by poverty and violations of fundamental rights.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
