Homeless people empty garbage cans in search of food

Ever since the total lockdown went into effect on Monday the homeless people have been emptying garbage cans in search of food. As soon as they spot a car or a person they zero in on their target to beg for food or money. So far not a single official agency has provided aid to the homeless people. Angela Salmo, director at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing (Sozavo), had previously indicated that the National COVID-19 Management Team has also thought about the homeless people and that they would also receive a social parcel while a solution is being sought. The homeless people still have not received any help. Salmo could not be reached for comment regarding this issue. Many of the capital’s homeless people assemble at Waterkant where they also spend the night in the tents of the food vendors. Carlo Lansdorf, director at de Stem, has come up with a plan aimed at providing shelter to the homeless. He has already presented his plan to the government. “We were planning on presenting the plan to the COVID-19 Management Team but had to send it to the secretary of the director at Sozavo because the management team could not be reached.”

Landsdorf pointed out that the ministry has confirmed that it has received the plan. “But after that I did not hear anything else from them.” The government was planning on executing a plan aimed at providing shelter to the homeless in association with the Psychiatric Center Suriname. That also has not happened yet. Landsdorf explained that his plan is part of a resocialization project called Independent Living. “I am still willing to work with the government. “This project must enable them to live independently. I have enough employees who are willing to help out.”