Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) continues its support activities throughout the year for citizens struggling to survive on the streets or in abandoned spaces during the summer months. Providing various services to meet basic needs such as shelter, health, food and clothing during the winter months, IMM provides solutions to the personal hygiene needs of these citizens with a specially equipped Mobile Bathroom Vehicle during the summer months.
Warm Hand of Winter, Clean Breath of Summer
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Health Affairs Department, under the coordination of the Istanbul Darülaceze Branch Directorate, offers a comprehensive winter service for citizens living on the streets between December and April each year. These services cover a wide range from meeting shelter needs to personal care services, health checks to hot meals and clothing support. As a continuation of this meticulous approach shown in the winter months, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality is now meeting the personal cleaning and hygiene needs of homeless individuals, one of their most important needs in the summer months, with a specially designed “Mobile Bathroom Bus”.
Mobile Bathroom Vehicle Provides Comprehensive Service
The “Mobile Bathroom Service Vehicle”, which began operating in Taksim Gezi Park as of May 2 this year, has been specially equipped to meet the basic hygiene needs of citizens living on the streets. The vehicle includes two dressing cabins, two hairdressing sections, two shower areas, two toilets and a comfortable resting area. In addition, the vehicle also includes a small kitchen and a psychosocial support area. Thanks to this comprehensive equipment, the IMM Health Affairs Department not only provides cleaning services to homeless individuals within the framework of preventive health services, but also allows them to take care of their personal care and receive psychological support when needed.
Thousands of Homeless Citizens Benefited Last Year
The Mobile Bathroom Service Vehicle, which was first put into practice by IMM on April 1, 2024, operated at two different locations last year, the Fatih district Yenikapı Event Area and Taksim Gezi Park. Thanks to this important service, a total of 2024 homeless citizens had the opportunity to meet their personal hygiene needs from April to November 2. This figure clearly shows how important and effective IMM's work in this area is. The mobile bathroom service contributes to the citizens living on the streets continuing their lives in a dignified manner, and also supports their adaptation processes to social life.
