necessitados

Necessitados is a term in Portuguese used to refer to people who are in need of basic resources. It derives from necessidade (need) and can function as an adjective or a noun: necessitado (masculine), necessitada (feminine), with plural forms necessitados and necessitadas. The word typically encompasses individuals or groups lacking essentials such as food, housing, clothing, or healthcare, and it can denote both chronic poverty and temporary hardship.

In social policy, humanitarian work, and religious contexts, the term is commonly employed to identify recipients of aid or support. Charities, government programs, and non-governmental organizations may use necessitados to describe beneficiaries of services like food distribution, shelter, financial assistance, or medical treatment. The concept is broader than formal poverty classifications and can include people in vulnerable circumstances who require assistance.

Linguistic and policy considerations: some view necessitados as stigmatizing or antiquated, preferring more neutral expressions such as pessoas em situação de pobreza or pessoas em vulnerabilidade. Usage varies by country and context; while still prevalent in religious discourse and traditional welfare settings, contemporary policy tends toward person-first language and precise terminology to describe levels of need and the types of support required.