New Delhi, May 11 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday launched a five-day special ‘Seva & Rescue Campaign’ for the destitute, sick and homeless who will be shifted in special vehicles to safe shelter facilities run by government and voluntary organisations.

Addressing the gathering after flagging off special rescue vehicles from the ‘Mukhyamantri Seva Sadan’, the Chief Minister said the specially deployed ambulances and rescue vehicles would reach out to the homeless, sick and abandoned people living on roadsides, pavements and public spaces across Delhi and shift them to safe shelter facilities.

The campaign, planned between May 11 and May 15 across all 13 districts, is being carried out with 19 special rescue ambulances, 10 support vehicles, nearly 100 staff members and 50 dedicated volunteers working round the clock, said a statement.

Through the campaign, the government aims to provide immediate assistance to more than 300 vulnerable people living in difficult conditions across the city.

Those rescued will be accommodated at Apna Ghar Ashram, where they will receive medical treatment, nutritious food and dignified care. Arrangements have been made to accommodate up to 500 destitute persons, including 100 beds for women and 400 for men, she said.

She said that if the families of rescued individuals are identified and willing to take them back, efforts will be made to reunite them with their loved ones after recovery. For those with no family support, the Ashram will continue to provide them care with dignity, compassion and humanity.

The Chief Minister flagged off a fleet of specially equipped ambulances and rescue vehicles as part of the five-day intensive drive, which will run from May 11 to May 15 across all 13 districts of Delhi.

The initiative is being jointly carried out by the Delhi Government’s Department of Social Welfare, Apna Ghar Ashram and Seva Bharti.

Shakur Basti MLA Karnail Singh, Apna Ghar Ashram founder Dr B.M. Bhardwaj, Seva Bharti Delhi state president Ramesh Agrawal, senior government officials and representatives of social organisations were present at the launch event.

To ensure smooth and effective implementation of the campaign, a dedicated 24×7 ‘one-window system’ has also been developed in coordination with the Social Welfare Department. In the first phase of the drive, around 20 people have already been successfully rescued.

–IANS

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