Évora Chamber offers space for homeless

A Arena d’Évora will be open to the homeless people of the city, from today to the end of the day and at least until Wednesday, due to the bad weather, revealed the city council.

In statements to the agency Lusa, the vice president of the municipality, Jerónimo José, indicated that this reception space will be available with capacity for “30 beds and possibility of reinforcement, if necessary”.

The space “will be activated in partnership between the IN-Visibility project, Municipal Civil Protection Service and the Chamber’s Education and Social Intervention Division”, in order to “support the homeless and so that they can have a shelter and stay safe,” he said.

According to the mayor, the IN-Visibility project team “will be with camera employees in the enclosure giving the necessary support”, being made available “place to spend the night, food and other care”.

Noting that at least 12 homeless people are expected, Jerónimo José stressed that the reception space “will be functioning from the end of today, tonight, and until tomorrow [Wednesday]”.

“If necessary, its operation will be extended,” the Vice-President, who is responsible for civil protection and security, explained that the decision on the ongoing extension of the measure will be taken on Wednesday, together with Civil Protection.

In the statements to Lusa, the person responsible pointed out that on Wednesday, the city council and the municipal equipment will be closed and only the essential services will be in operation.

“ We will have all operational services in readiness to, if there is any occurrence, give support or intervene ", stressed.

The mayor referred to the strong wind forecast for the Évora area, warning the population to avoid circulating and parking vehicles in areas close to large trees for “saveguarding goods and even physical integrity”.

Continental Portugal is on alert between 00:00 and 23:59 Wednesday, due to the possible worsening of the state of time with the arrival of depression Charles, it is expected that Lisbon, Leiria, Setúbal, Beja and Faro will be the most affected regions.

The government has decided to close non-essential schools and public services in all districts, and the authorities have admitted to closing bridges and air traffic restrictions.

According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), “the occurrence of heavy rain or shower periods, strong wind, with gusts that can reach 120 kilometers/hour and, in case of formation of the phenomenon ‘sting jet’ (air current that quickly descends inside an extratropical depression, accelerating towards the surface), exceed 150 kilometers/hour”.

Red weather warnings (the maximum level) were issued for the continent, for Wednesday, and also for Madeira, as of tonight. In the archipelago the schools will be closed in the morning.