Within the framework of the Winter 2022 plan, the Minister of Social Development, Martín Lema, confirmed that this Monday the 16th night, the Polar Cold operation will be launched, which involves inter-institutional coordination to ensure protection for people who need it. “We already find ourselves with some warnings that make us have to raise our guard, which is not lowered at any time in winter,” he indicated.
In statements to the press, Lema reported that, within the framework of the Winter plan, which began on May 15, and given the weather warning issued for the next few days, it was decided to activate, as of Monday 16, the Polar Cold operation. .
The minister stressed that acting in a coordinated manner with the institutions involved and in advance regarding the notice from the Uruguayan Institute of Meteorology (Inumet) will allow satisfying the protection that homeless people require.
The operation includes the participation of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of National Defense, ASSE, private health institutions and the Congress of Mayors. The territorial teams of Mides, which work 24 hours a day, have also increased.
The different military units of the Defense portfolio are set up as shelters and the troops of the Interior deal with the transfer of people to the nightclubs, which, in the face of the weather warning issued for this Tuesday, will extend their attention during the day .
winter plan
This year the initiative proposes the potential increase in coverage, which may exceed 4,000 places, depending on the demand in 24-hour centers and night stands. In addition, other measures are incorporated, such as a call center and reinforcements of mobile teams in the territory throughout the day, centers that accept pets, agreements with private medical institutions and centers specialized in dealing with the problematic consumption of psychoactive substances.
A free telephone line, 0800 8798, which works 24 hours a day, and the service via WhatsApp, 092 910 000, are available to notify individuals who are out in the open.
