SOCIAL WELFARE
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month. In the early stages a general breakdown in communica- tions greatly impeded the work; but in many areas those on the spot, whether local organizations of fishermen, kaifongs, rural committees or religious bodies, organized effective relief measures. A special appeal, launched by the four leading newspaper groups for funds to help the victims, met with a notably generous response from the Hong Kong public and from other parts of the world. A collection of over $1,370,000 was raised and placed in a Com- munity Typhoon Relief Fund. Grants in cash were paid to the dependents of those killed and to the injured. Those whose huts, houses or boats were destroyed were assisted to replace their dwellings. The sponsors agreed that the balance of this fund, amounting to nearly half a million dollars, should be used for the relief of those who may suffer from future less widespread disasters caused by fire, storm or flood, occurrences which are only too frequent, and for the individual no less catastrophic.
20,000 people were registered and given assistance in a series of smaller misfortunes throughout the year. Amongst these were 6,000 victims of floods in the low-lying Yuen Long area, who were rescued, fed and housed in co-operation with the District Officers, the Army and voluntary agencies. In September a fire swept through a large settlement of squatter huts at Tai Hang Sai; within a few hours 5,000 people were homeless. Hot meals were issued on the spot, together with cooking and eating utensils, clothing and blankets, and a few days later sites had been re-allocated and cash grants paid to each family to help them to rebuild on the ashes of their old homes.
Public Assistance. Although there is widespread poverty in Hong Kong, there is virtually no starvation, nor need anyone live at starvation level. This is largely due to the relief measures taken by the Government and to the massive assistance provided by the large number of voluntary agencies. Genuine beggars have ceased to be a problem of any size in Hong Kong, but it is significant of prevailing conditions that the Social Welfare Department provides cooked meals and dry foodstuffs through its six welfare centres and kitchens for some 10,000 people regularly, day in and day out. In the New Territories the District Officers are responsible for day-to-day relief in co-operation with the Department and voluntary agencies. Amongst the voluntary agencies, CARE,