Social Assistance Badges

The first public experience many Spaniards had of the Francoist “New State” involved the Social Assistance (AS), more specifically its section Aid to Liberated Populations (Auxilio a Poblaciones Liberadas). Documentaries from the time show Falangists distributing food among the starving masses of the newly "liberated" towns. For example, given the severe shortages in what had been Republican Spain until then, in Alicante, two hundred Falangists were sent from Málaga to provide aid. They encountered "the entire population" in a state of "horrific misery." And this is what the dictatorship's propaganda publicized and amplified to the extreme: the relief efforts and food supplies distributed in each town to alleviate the hunger supposedly caused by the "Reds."

Given both the post-war reality and—something that was not supposed to be happening—the dire needs created by Francoist economic policies, in fact the AS was unable to address the problems it claimed to be solving in even a minimal way. The numbers and propaganda told one story; reality told another. By October 1939, the AS had a network of 2,487 establishments across the country, at least on paper, since their actual operation varied greatly. In Children's Dining Halls and Brotherhood Kitchens, the portions served were fewer, smaller, and of lower quality than those promoted in propaganda. Moreover, according to their own inspections, some of the facilities were described as “vile” or having “a repellent appearance.”

Another critical element of the way the AS operated was its administration. Reports of corruption in the provinces were a constant headache for national leaders. The diversion of products and food to the black market by the most unscrupulous and cunning staff severely damaged the institution’s public image.

Its fundraising campaigns also aroused suspicion. This form of soliciting—which was closer to compelling—public collaboration has left us with a multitude of coupons, and badges. The badges, illustrated with various iconographic themes, were sold for different amounts. It was mandatory to show them in order to attend public events. In fact, the AS was not allocated any budget by the state—it was a form of charity imposed on society by the dictatorship.

If the AS had been truly effective, post-war Spain would not have suffered such a widespread and intense famine. The regime solved the problem by denying its existence and proclaiming the organization's great social work instead.

ORB