Helping hand for homeless in Moscow winter
Published 06 October, 2008, 08:57
The weather in Moscow is unseasonably mild for the time of year, but the cold weather is just around the corner and, once it comes, Moscow's homeless face even harder times. The city authorities are doing what they can to help them by setting up shelters and providing support. Still, for some it's not enough.
If you walk past Leningradsky railway station in Moscow, you will see numerous beggars sitting and sleeping on the floor, as well as on the three-metre walls adjoining Metro entrances. This can be very dangerous for them as they often fall off the walls and get seriously injured.
There are currently eight shelters for the homeless in Moscow, each of them hosting up to 170 people, where they can have a shower and clothes and receive psychological support and help in getting necessary documentation.
Each person is allowed to spend up to one year here before leaving. Although eight shelters are obviously not enough for a city of more than 11 million people, the authorities say opening more won't solve the homeless problem.
However, when city authorities can’t cope, Moscow charities are ready to lend a hand.
The charity Aid To the Homeless Fund helps out approximately 700 homeless people a month.
“Usually we patrol different areas where we know there are homeless people and give out some medical aid, like bandages, give out food and take the disabled to special care facilities,” said llya Kuskov, the fund’s director.
Another charity organisation, Caritas, began to provide homeless with food and basic clothing back in 1992.
Explaining why so many homeless appeared in Russian streets back then, Marina Perminova, Caritas Project director said, “Lots of men lost their jobs after perestroika and losing their place in society drove many to alcoholism, which in turn led to family breakdowns and divorce. After divorce it is women who keep the house and men are turned out. There is also the problem of lack of provision for criminals once they are released from prison. Now, many are simply turned out onto the streets.”
At the moment there are more than 70,000 homeless in the capital, 14 per cent of whom are disabled. According to statistics, the number of people coming to the capital looking for work and failing is increasing every year – they now make-up over 60 per cent of those living on the streets.
“We can't force them to go to some social facilities or to return home, or even have a medical check-up. There should be a law to oblige them to do this,” says Vladimir Petrosyan, the Head of Moscow's Social Security Department.
Sadly, even those who are helped sooner or later return to their rough lifestyles. Ilya Kuskov believes that the situation would change if there were more facilities for those without homes.
discuss it
