Homeless not to be left out in the cold during emergencies

Safe shelter during national emergencies is guarantee for all. That is the news coming out of yesterday’s media briefing at the Department of Emergency Management (DEM). With a charge by Chairman of the Barbados Vagrants and Homeless Society Kemar Saffrey that there was not enough done for the homeless in Barbados during the passage of tropical storm Matthew, officials took the opportunity during the conference to rebut the statement.

 

When asked if there were any plans for provisions for the homeless, Director of the DEM Kerry Hinds explained that there was a new framework on the cards and that their demographic was already accounted for. 

 

“There is consideration for vulnerable persons and they would be classed in that particular section of the population. There are other special needs groups we also have to consider as we do our contingency and prepare these plans. That is a feature of the National Emergency Management System. As you can see, there are a wide number of stakeholders in the process, not only public and private sector. You have the volunteers and you have all the various groups and we have to work together to ensure that we return the country to a state of normalcy and no one is displaced during any of these events,” she said before going on to mention that all talks would have to be intensive given that homeless persons were difficult to reach out to in general, much less in times of emergency. 

 

“We would have to sit down with the society and engage obviously because as you look at the various groups, there are different strategies of engagement and that is one where we would definitely have to sit down and go through that. It is a dynamic process and one that we would really look at and investigate so that at the end of the day we have the best solutions,” Hinds said.

 

Prime Minister (Ag.) Richard Sealy echoed Hinds’ sentiments and added that the public shelters were open to them as well as they did not turn anyone away. 

 

“While I appreciate what Mr. Saffrey is doing at the Vagrant and Homeless Society, you can’t take away from the Clyde Gollop Shelter, operated by the National Assistance Board and the many different church groups that do a lot of good work in this area. In essence, there are a lot of bright lights – public-spirited Barbadians, organisations and individuals that will look out for those who are infirmed, who may not have a shelter for whatever reason, and they do look out for them. We did not have any serious situations with homeless people seeking shelter in any itinerant circumstances. There was a roof available. The Category 1 shelters were available as well,” Sealy said.

 

Also present was Minister of Home Affairs and Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite and he said that the issue would definitely be going to Cabinet as times have changed and a new approach was needed. 

 

“We have to look at all sides of the equation. One of the things that have come to the fore is that we have had protocols in place and it has worked for us as a country for many years. But there are new actors that we probably need to get in to sit down with us so that everyone understands their role. If there is one thing that has come out, it is the fact that we have new personnel who have never been part of this process before and we need to ensure that they understand their roles,” Brathwaite said. (MP)