SOCIAL WELFARE
Emergency Relief
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The emergency relief scheme provides for the victims of natural disasters by the supply of hot meals, milk powder for infants, and other basic essentials such as blankets, ground mats and eating utensils. Assistance in cash is also granted to cover the burial costs of victims, to help meet resettlement expenses, to compensate for the loss of family support, and to cover damage to vessels, housing and crops. In the financial year 1975-6, payments made from the Emergency Relief Fund amounted to $1.4 million.
In February, some 3,200 people were made homeless when fire swept through the old squatter area at Aldrich Bay on Hong Kong Island. Emergency relief was immediately provided and it continued until the victims had been resettled. In addi- tion, members of the public donated-nearly $1.3 million for distribution to the victims.
In 1976 some 12,939 people were affected by 87 disasters. They included a number of less serious fires, landslides and a degree of flooding.
Training of Social Workers
Social work training is available in Hong Kong at degree, diploma and certificate level. The Institute for Social Work Training offers a certificate course for people who do not plan to enrol at university but are either already employed or wish to make a career in social work. Since 1973 a total of 129 certificated social workers have graduated from the institute, which currently has an enrolment of 115 students. A diploma course in social work is offered by the Hong Kong Baptist College and the Hong Kong Shue Yan College, and there are degree courses at the two universities.
The in-service training of social workers, including the provision of refresher courses, is undertaken on behalf of both the government and the voluntary sector by the Social Welfare Department's training section. A total of 29 courses, seminars and workshops were conducted during the year. The training section operates a demonstra- tion nursery providing day care for 80-100 children which serves as a training ground for nursery workers.
To help young people who wish to obtain social work training, a number of bursaries and scholarships are available from the Social Work Training Fund, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the government, and from private donations.
Planning
The expansion and improvement of social welfare services is in accordance with a five-year plan which was approved by the Legislative Council in 1973. As part of the development process, this plan is reviewed annually in conjunction with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service to ensure that its provisions remain relevant, timely and within the capacity of available resources. At the same time the plan is also extended in the course of each review by one year so as to maintain a continuous five-year planning cycle.
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