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"Absence also communicates": White mayor's harsh complaint to Mides amid red alert

"Absence also communicates": White mayor's harsh complaint to Mides amid red alert

From El País · (44m ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Intendente of Paysandú, Nicolás Olivera, criticized the Ministry of Social Development (Mides) for insufficient resources and operational limitations in assisting the homeless during a red alert.
  • Olivera stated that the Mides should have been better prepared and criticized Minister Gonzalo Civila for a lack of communication and coordination.
  • He highlighted that Paysandú lacks sufficient shelter capacity for all homeless individuals if they were to be removed from the streets, a problem that has occurred in previous years.

From the perspective of El País, Uruguay:

La ausencia también comunica

— Nicolás OliveraExpressing his disappointment with the Minister of Social Development's lack of communication during a national emergency.

The stark reality of assisting vulnerable populations during emergencies has been laid bare by Intendente Nicolás Olivera's pointed critique of the national Ministry of Social Development (Mides). As Paysandú faces a red alert due to cold weather, Olivera, who also leads the National Congress of Intendants, has voiced serious concerns about the lack of resources and the ministry's preparedness. His public statements, including a notable post on social media, emphasize not just the operational shortcomings but also a perceived lack of engagement from Minister Gonzalo Civila. This situation is particularly galling for local authorities who are on the front lines, grappling with the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness. The Intendente's assertion that "absence also communicates" in a national emergency speaks volumes about the breakdown in inter-institutional coordination. While national alerts are crucial, their effectiveness hinges on robust support and clear communication from central government bodies. The fact that this is a recurring issue, as Olivera points out from previous years, suggests a systemic problem in anticipating and managing such crises, demanding a more proactive and collaborative approach from Mides.

habría que levantar mas gente que los cupos que se tienen para que sean alojados

— Nicolás OliveraHighlighting the insufficient shelter capacity in Paysandú to accommodate all homeless individuals.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El País in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.