Most of the people living round me in the barrio are not starving but they are malnourished. They all pay electricity, before they were on fixed contracts of 300RD$ a month, but now all are metered and their bills are around RD$800 pesos. Mind you there is only electricity for 12 hours max a day and none have inverters. Some have Solidarity cards, which allow them to buy up certain products up to a couple of thousand pesos a month at the colmado - if they are in the right party. Some receive money from children, either here or overseas, but most are living on a total budget of around RD$5,000 a month, and some much less. Those that can grow plantains,yuca and corn in their yards.
I don't know any that have pensions, but those, as mentioned on this thread, are a privileged few, although in a couple of decades it should be more if the social security system actually works.
They cannot afford meat, maybe once a week, and certainly not green veg. Most survive on rice and eggs, plantains and salami, spaghetti and tomato paste - every meal, day in and day out.
Many are diabetic and cannot afford the testing kits, nor the insulin. Many do go to the government pharmacy, but with 35% of the meds thought to be fake here, I would not be surprised if a lot are there. Also there are only certain meds there, so those with specific issues such as insulin controlled diabetes, heart problems or high bloody pressure cannot afford them.
I think dying of hunger is probably not the right way to put it, but dying due to malnutrition probably is. They have gasoline for their car - but they are running without oil. At the end of the day, the engine seizes up.
Matilda
