Esterline Gonçalves Género visited the Talude Militar neighborhood today. According to a civic movement, many residents are from São Tomé and Príncipe, along with others from Cape Verde, Brazil, and various other nationalities.
During the visit, the diplomatic representative described the situation as “dramatic” and stressed the urgency of finding a solution.
“If in the past we said it was undignified, I don’t know what it is today,” commented the ambassador to SIC Noticias on-site. He had arrived from abroad to provide possible support, which currently includes tents and food for those remaining despite the demolition of 55 out of 64 precarious homes.
The ambassador of São Tomé and Príncipe expressed regret over not being informed about the demolition plans in the neighborhood. He mentioned efforts to contact the Mayor of Loures, which were unsuccessful but had lunch with the vice-president on July 10, where he felt he should have been informed.
Now seeing the current scenario, the diplomat emphasized that the issue “is no longer at the municipal level but rather at the national level.”
On Monday, Loures began an operation to demolish 64 illegal precarious structures that housed 161 people, demolishing 51 on the first day and an additional four on the second.
The operation was suspended following a Lisbon court’s decision, responding to an injunction filed by 14 residents.
Among the 55 families occupying demolished structures, 14 are receiving support from the Loures City Council, which attended to 38 family units by Friday.
According to information from the municipality, 14 families found alternative housing with relatives or friends, three declined support, and seven did not express interest in the proposed solutions.
Latest data reveal that three families, with five minors in care, still receive overnight assistance, and ten families, with 21 minors, are receiving food support.
Five families accessed the rental market, benefiting from municipal assistance in paying deposits and the first month’s rent, the city council added.
