Ho Chi Minh City launches intensive campaign to address homelessness and begging.

A child begs for food in the Mai Chi Tho street area (Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City).

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Police, the number of homeless people and beggars has recently shown signs of resurgence in Ho Chi Minh City and is on the rise, especially in suburban areas.

The majority of these individuals come from other provinces and cities, including those who exploit the situation by exploiting children for begging, some disabled people, and elderly people selling trinkets, etc.

Besides its social impact, the presence of homeless people, beggars, or those harassing tourists also negatively affects the tourism environment of Ho Chi Minh City, causing a loss of goodwill among visitors.

Ho Chi Minh City police units launched a high-intensity operation on June 16th. (Photo: Hong Phuc).

Therefore, during the peak period of addressing and dealing with homeless beggars and people living in public places, the Ho Chi Minh City Police are determined to thoroughly prevent the exploitation of elderly people and children for begging and homelessness, especially strictly punishing those who exploit them and violate the law. In particular, the Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order, in coordination with the Youth Union (Ho Chi Minh City Police) and the District 1 Police, will conduct a pilot campaign in Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1 (Ho Chi Minh City).

During the peak period of enforcement, in cases where signs of exploiting or luring children, people with disabilities, or the elderly into begging for profit are detected, the Ho Chi Minh City Police will proceed to file charges or transfer the files to the investigative agency for handling. Simultaneously, the People's Court will hold a public trial, with the aim of deterring and educating offenders .

Previously, in the first five months of 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs had taken in and placed 697 children and homeless beggars into social welfare facilities.

Most recently, in just one month, units under this Department initially received 128 cases of children and homeless beggars, including 25 cases showing signs of mental illness (data from April 5th to May 5th).

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/tphcm-ngan-chan-triet-de-tinh-trang-chan-dat-nguoi-gia-tre-em-an-xin-10283457.html