For Southern Italy, the Coronavirus Becomes a War on 2 Fronts
As it confronts the ravages of the virus, Italy’s less developed south also faces economic carnage not seen since just after World War II, with the poor turning to handouts.
Client
The New York Times
Year
2020
A view of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. The south is facing economic carnage not seen since the early years of the postwar era
The Naples delicatessen Ai Monti Lattari is taking part in an initiative where those who can afford it pay for groceries and leave them for the poor
A wicker basket lowered on a rope by a street artist, Angelo Picone, is designed to help those in need in Naples. The sign reads: “If you can, put something in. If you can’t, take something out.”
The Spanish Quarters in Naples
A closed kiosk along the usually crowded seafront in Naples
Flavia Brescia and her daughter Angela wrapping 15 meals that will be distributed to homeless people by a group of volunteers
Anna Fusco, an artist and tobacconist, distributing a homemade meal in Naples
A shuttered restaurant in Naples
Volunteers preparing grocery bags for needy families in a working class neighborhood in Naples
Volunteers waiting for groceries to distribute to families who have lost income because of the coronavirus
A volunteer delivering groceries to a needy family
Mario Palumbo was proud to have forged something of a steady career as a cook. When the pandemic hit Italy in February, his contract wasn’t renewed. Unable to find work, Mr. Palumbo started relying on his mother’s €300 basic income check.
Arianna Esposito lost both parents to the coronavirus. They were also the family’s main source of income.
The shuttered detergent and cleaning products store owned by Ms. Esposito’s parents.