Press Release, 11.06.2024

Photo by Alexei Smagin, Kommersant

The regional branch of the Yabloko party sent a public appeal to the administration of Yakutsk, the capital of Yakutia, proposing to humanely and effectively solve the problem of homelessness and help citizens who find themselves in difficult life situations. The authorities of Yakutsk are trying to develop a set of measures to remove homeless people from the streets of the city in anticipation of the international Children of Asia games that will be held in the city. There are fears that homeless people will be sent to special detention centres for the duration of the games instead of providing them with proper assistance.

On 10 June, there emerged information that the government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) plans to use forceful methods to oust homeless people from the streets of Yakutsk before the start of the Children of Asia Games – sports competitions that are held every four years under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee in honour of the 100th -anniversary of the modern Olympic movement. In 2024, the Games will be held in Yakutsk. Several homeless people have already been detained by police and taken to the department.

“There will be no homeless people,” city Mayor Yevgeny Grigoriyev told a SakhaDay correspondent. The Mayor’s Press Secretary, Roman Mandzyak, clarified that preventive measures would be strengthened before the start and during the Games.

The Chairman of the regional branch of Yabloko in Yakutia, Anatoly Nogovitsyn, proposes using empty buildings in the city to create shelters with hot water and food for homeless people. These provisional measures do not require significant financial investment and can be organised using existing resources. It is also proposed to involve psychologists, medical workers and social services for rehabilitation work with vulnerable segments of the population.

“We are confident that this initiative will not only benefit our city in the run-up to the international games, but will also leave a positive legacy by improving the lives of many people and promoting social justice. We ask you to consider this proposal and support it,” the politician addresses the city administration in his blog.

The Yakutia branch of the Yabloko party has declared its readiness to coordinate this initiative and involve volunteers, public organisations and local businesses in its implementation to collect food, clothing and provide other types of aid.