The City of Brussels activated its "Heatwave Plan" on Monday. The Maisons de Quartier (Belgian social service) teams will specifically ensure the welfare of vulnerable people, in particular by distributing water and checking their living conditions.
The plan, which will run until the end of September, will be activated as soon as temperatures exceed 28 degrees. People who suffer from isolation, or find themselves in situations of precariousness or dependence, can call the free 0800/35 550 number. They will then be put in contact with one of the 14 neighborhood houses of the city of Brussels.
Usually some 500 people are helped during periods of extreme heat. "It is important to know the degree of isolation and the living conditions of these people", said the head of Maisons de Quartier, Muriel Van Keymeulen.
Ten days ago, the Samusocial municipal humanitarian emergency service had already activated its Heatwave Plan for homeless people. Mobile teams travel the city, parks and public spaces to distribute bottles of water and the map for drinking water fountains, as well as to sensitise the most deprived individuals to the preventive measures that should be taken during periods of high heat.
The Brussels Times
