said Health Minister Andre Misiekaba last Wednesday. Minister Misiekaba explained that the government does not only want to provide a roof over the heads of the homeless people but that it also wants to provide counselling so that they could eventually be reintegrated into society. “The shelter will be more than just a place to sleep. The residents will be kept busy with agriculture and other productive activities. It must be a place where people get structure and are actively busy,” said Minister Misiekaba who added that this approach is aimed at giving the residents perspective. Minister Misiekaba also explained that homeless people with a history of mental illness are also taken off the streets but that they are taken to the Psychiatric Center Suriname (PCS). He added that the fysical circumstances at the PCS urgently require renovation and that the renovation project has already been included to the budget but that it must still be discussed and approved. “We are taking care of them with the limited resources that are currently at our disposal,” said Minister Misiekaba who added that the nationwide policy on mental and social issues is already in an advanced phase. “We are at the point where we could start at any moment,” said the Health minister who added that his ministry must still reach a formal agreement with the Ministry of Justice and Police as it is a legal challenge to evict the homeless people from the streets.

“When you take people out of society, you are close to robbing them of their freedom. There are laws that must be looked at thoroughly,” said Minister Misiekaba. The talks between both ministries are aimed at making sure that the evictions are within the scope of the law. Several weeks ago a homeless man unexpectedly stabbed a woman in the face in broad daylight. The incident which sent shockwaves through the nation once again made it clear that the homeless people with a mental illness are a clear and present danger to themselves and others.