1,700 homeless lodged in 92 shelters across Punjab

A total of five shelter homes in four districts of DG Khan division have been established for homeless persons

LAHORE: As the scorching heat is settling over the last few years across the country, the intense cold wave in Punjab has paralysed the lives of certain citizens and making it difficult for homeless people, seen often in roads and parks.

Keeping in view the severity of weather conditions, the provincial government is making efforts to provide food and shelter for the homeless.

Punjab Chief Secretary Azam Suleman Khan is monitoring the newly established shelter homes for the homeless in the provincial metropolis. So far, a total of 92 temporary shelters have been established in all 36 districts across the province by the Punjab government.

Reportedly, a total of 1,700 people have been shifted to temporary shelters during the cold wave. In this regard, eight shelter homes have been set up in three districts of Bahawalpur division where 241 people have been shifted. Similarly, a total of five shelter homes in four districts of Dera Ghazi Khan division have been established and 60 homeless persons have been transferred to these shelter homes.

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Following the count of 563 people in 16 shelter homes across four districts of Faisalabad division, a total of 108 persons have been shifted to 10 shelter homes in six districts of Gujranwala division while 157 persons have been shifted to 11 shelter homes of four divisions of Lahore district. In Multan, a total of 280 homeless persons are being facilitated in eight shelter homes in four districts of the division.

A total of 127 homeless persons are staying in five shelter homes in four districts of Rawalpindi division while a total of 64 people took refuge in 5 shelter homes in three districts of Sahiwal division.

A total of 24 shelter homes have been set up in four districts of Sargodha division where 100 homeless persons have been transferred so far.

Following the directives of the prime minister and Punjab chief minister, the chief secretary is engaged in the direct supervision of the temporary shelter homes, established until now. In this regard, the chief secretary is coordinating with all commissioners and deputy commissioners as well and issuing instructions for all kinds of assistance to the homeless living in these shelters.

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Reportedly, in these temporary shelters, food is being provided in the morning while meals are also being provided in the afternoon and night.

Homeless persons are provided with food and drink at different times in these shelters. All the administrative officers have informed the chief secretary about the temporary shelters set up across the province so far.

Apart from shelter homes in Bahawalpur division, five homes have been set up in Bahawalnagar while one shelter home is set up in Rahim Yar Khan, where 241 people are residing. A shelter home in Layyah, a shelter home in Muzaffargarh and two shelter homes in Rajanpur, collectively, have 60 persons residing in them. A total of 16 shelters have been set up in four districts of Faisalabad division.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2019.