The Secretary of State for Social Action and Inclusion visited this Wednesday the Faro Social Emergency Accommodation Center (CAES), which considered to be a successful case that intends to “replicate” to other parts of the country.
“Works like this have to be replicated. It’s an example and we want to replicate,” said Clara Marques Mendes during the visit to the Center, managed by the Movement of AIDS Problem (Maps) and located outside Faro.
The head of social action policies recognized merits to the previous government, which created the strategy of building two experimental dogs, one in Faro and one in Braga, but stressed the correction to this trajectory made by the current executive.
“We understood, as soon as we came to the government, that there was a strategy, but that […] It was not having the effectiveness it should have on the ground, ”said the secretary of state to justify the introduced changes.
According to the ruler, previously “there was no close articulation between the various intervening entities”, and there should be “there should be a greater articulation between municipalities, institutions and all on the ground”.
“We will replicate, because the strategy exists, regardless of the government. [nova] Strategy was a strategy that we created, this government created, in close articulation with the municipalities, with the various governing areas, ”said Clara Marques Mendes.
The ruler devalued the fact that the current executive was management, arguing that “it has not stopped working.”
“We continue to work what it is possible to do, and what is possible are unavoidable and emergency situations, and this is one of them,” he said, adding that Faro Caes is “a good example” to be taken “to other locations.”
Caes Algarvio has 45 beds, in the scope of social security protocols and the municipality of Faro.
The investment in this social equipment was 700 thousand euros, with support from the municipality (180 thousand euros) and the remaining amount guaranteed by MAPS, an entity that presented the project of Caes, including a bank loan of 310 thousand euros.
Much of the furniture and material that equates the building was donated by several companies and hotels, as well as private ones.
Since it was inaugurated, about two and a half years ago, 232 people have been welcomed for periods that can go to a maximum of six months, depending on the speed with which the most problematic cases are resolved.
The center allows to welcome people who, for any reason, have been homeless or are in a crisis situation, such as cases of dumping of a housing or domestic violence, and needs a quick response.
“These people were fortunate to receive this help and pass by, but there are many others that unfortunately did not pass,” said the president of, Rogério Bacalhau, also present on the visit.
For his part, the center officer, Fábio Simão, did not hide his pride for the work developed since the opening of the facilities: “This is a symbol that effectively went well and is giving its results,” he said.
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