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New Social Assistance management provides more than four thousand services in Rio
Published on 09/01/2021 - 17:06 | Updated
Integrated mapping and reception action covers neighborhoods and BRT stations Photo: Nathalia Dantas/Disclosure In the first eight days of January, the Rio Municipal Department of Social Welfare provided 4.492 services and distributed 1.663 masks in an integrated action to welcome and map the homeless population throughout the city. The operation also referred 981 cases to specific areas and welcomed 378 homeless people into shelters, in addition to distributing 1.749 snacks and 1.641 bottles of water.
Most of the actions took place in the city center and South Zone neighborhoods, which are home to the majority of this population. In the city center, 911 services were provided, 139 referrals were made and 67 shelters were provided, and 400 snacks, 305 masks and 363 bottles of water were distributed. The neighborhoods in the South Zone received 572 services, 113 referrals and 31 shelters, with 329 masks, 322 snacks and 306 bottles of water being distributed.
Secretary Laura Carneiro monitored the actions, talking to the population, who do not want to be housed in shelters in precarious conditions. Laura's priority is to improve the shelters and implement an integrated flow between different services and agencies, so that those in need have quick access to the network and assistance benefits.
– We are mapping the real situation on the streets to improve public policies aimed at this population – explained the secretary.
The action extends throughout the city on the streets, BRT stations and tourist spots, and has the participation of other municipal administration bodies, mainly involved in the fight against COVID-19. From this Saturday (9) to Monday (11), the task force will operate in the following locations: Centro, Copacabana, Leme, Botafogo, Laranjeiras, Glória, Catete, Ipanema, Flamengo, Leblon, Barra, Recreio, São Cristóvão, Vaz Lobo, Campinho and Santa Cruz.
The Secretariat emphasizes that the operation strictly follows the parameters of the National Social Assistance Policy regarding the promotion, protection and defense of human rights, especially items 2 and 3 of Resolution 40, of October 13, 2020. It specifies that the use of offers from the Unified Social Assistance System “as an instrument of social cleansing” at the request of the public and merchants is prohibited, and that public agents must mediate conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence between homeless people and the rest of society in the search to guarantee the rights of all.
