Ragusa and the homeless man in front of the Provincial Palace: "We tried to help him, but he refuses our hospitality."

After the articles published in La Sicilia regarding the presence of a homeless person who has been spending the night in the entrance hall of the Provincial Palace on Viale del Fante for several months, the Free Municipal Consortium of Ragusa deems it appropriate to clarify the actions of the entity and its Presidency.

“From the very first moment the situation arose, we took action to address it with the utmost sense of responsibility and with a spirit focused on the protection of human dignity. Therefore, politics did not remain indifferent, but acted promptly to identify a concrete and shared solution,” states President Maria Rita Schembari. The provincial police was immediately involved and began interventions starting from January 9. In coordination with the Social Emergency Service of the Municipality of Ragusa, an alternative accommodation was identified: a single room in a hotel near the provincial headquarters, to ensure a dignified and easily accessible welcome. Despite the commitment of the institutions and the provincial police, the man firmly rejected every proposal, and even the intervention of the carabinieri proved fruitless. In the face of an explicit refusal, respecting the wishes and personal freedom of the individual concerned, it was not possible to proceed further. Invitations were repeated several times, as part of a constant monitoring. The Administration of the Free Consortium reiterates its utmost attention to situations of social vulnerability and its full willingness to collaborate with institutions and volunteer organizations to define paths of assistance and inclusion. At the same time, it emphasizes that, in reporting similar circumstances, it is advisable to contact the competent authorities to obtain complete and accurate information on the measures taken.