Government Wants to Scrap Mutual Aid Fund Set Up During Coronavirus Pandemic

Bratislava, November 30 (TASR) - The government wants to scrap the Mutual Aid Fund, set up during the coronavirus pandemic and transfer the rest of the money from it to the state budget, according to an amendment to the law on the government activities' organisation approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday (November 29). "The Mutual Aid Fund, which served to help people economically affected by the coronavirus crisis and to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in connection with Russia's invasion on Ukraine, will be abolished as of January 1, 2024," reads the draft amendment. The rest of the money in the fund should become income of the state budget. There is currently €37,000 available in the transparent account. The government suggested the parliament to treat the amendment via a short-track legislative procedure. The Mutual Aid Fund was originally set up by the then government to help people affected by the coronavirus pandemic. After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, its purpose has been expanded to include help to Slovakia's eastern neighbour. The public contributed to it as well. The Government Office last invited local governments, NGOs and churches to apply for financial aid from the fund in March 2022. ko