The Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation (MCCFF) is helping more people who are at risk of poverty as each year passes, Claire Micallef Pule, manager at MCCFF, said on INDEPTH.

Claire, who was interviewed by the Malta Independent Editor-in-Chief Rachel Attard, said that there many reasons why persons at risk of poverty reach out for help, including help dealing with mental health problems, or dealing with a sudden tragedy in their family. Claire also told a number of stories about people who lived in poverty.

She also said that over the past ten years, she saw an increase in the number of people seeking assistance from the MCCFF as they cannot afford to buy their expensive medicine. Claire said that the increase is the result of expensive, specific and non-generic medicine which they require.

She also said that MCCFF saw an increase in the number of patients travelling abroad to receive treatment.

Asked why people should donate to L-Istrina, Claire said: "L-Istrina is about everyone, which is why we should donate."

Claire has been working with the MCCFF for the past nine years.