Prevention stage of the cold operation activated to help the homeless
The operation is activated every winter, from December to March, offering people who sleep rough a place to stay occasionally and receive social and sanitary care during the coldest months. The prevention stage entails the opening of the Emergency Night Shelter (CANE) in C/ Ramon Turró, with 100 places.
The CANE covers basic accommodation needs, with showers, food and a nursing service to allow users to relax and recover. If they wish, they can also start a support itinerary with social services. The centre takes people in from 8 am to 9 pm, and to access the facility users need to have signed up beforehand at the same centre in the morning.
Stages of the cold operation
The operation has three stages depending on the evolution of temperatures or other phenomena such as wind, intense rain and snow.
The prevention stage, now being activated, works according to the season and guarantees a place to stay on the coldest nights. If temperatures drop lower than usual or coincide with strong wind, persistent rain or the risk of snow, the alert stage may be activated, with extra places added and more assistance in the streets.
The emergency stage is the highest level and is only activated when the municipal plan for snow and ice enters the emergency stage. In this case, extra places are opened up and support teams from the Barcelona Urgent Care and Social Emergencies Centre (CUESB), the SASSEP and other municipal services are rolled out, with support from the Red Cross.
