France, Oct. 5 -- The analysis, carried out by an international team in Europe and the United States, found that 5.5 million of the charity's beneficiaries have fallen into extremely precarious situations.

It warns that one in 10 people risks needing food aid over the next decade.

It also found that public policies have little effect in helping people who have already fallen into extreme poverty.

"The longer someone has been receiving assistance from Les Restos, the harder it is for them to break free from that situation," Yves Merillon, a member of the national board of Les Restos du Cœur, told public broadcaster Franceinfo.

He believes that "prevention remains the most powerful tool, and public policies have a role to play" thr...