Ten carabinieri barracks have opened throughout the night to give the homeless a roof over their heads during the intense cold in Rome. Carabinieri and territorial military groups have been around the city over the past few days to inform the homeless that they can spend the night in barracks in various locations around the city; Eur, Casilina, Montesacro, Parioli, Piazza Dante, Piazza Venezia, St Peters, Trastevere and Trionfale. The initiative is being run by a military task force in conjunction with volunteers of the citys civil protection unit. The barracks will remain open until the cold weather leaves the city

A second Island of Solidarity or Isola della Solidarieta has also been established in the Mercati Generali in Via Ostiense (the other is in Castel S. Angelo). These heated tents offer dinner and breakfast and are open for the homeless 24 hours a day and can be reached on one of four buses known as bus della solidariet which operate each night.

In addition, the metro stations Piramide, Tiburtina, Flaminio and Piazza Vittorio are to remain open during the night for the homeless.

All the initiatives are coordinated by the Sala Operativa Sociale, www.spqrdipsociale.it . For more information tel. 800440022 (free phone 24 hours a day, every day).