XN000022-1974-06-29 — Page 5

SATURDAY, JUNE 29. 1974

RELIEF WORK STRENGTHENED FOR DISASTER VICTIMS

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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY STRENGTHENED ITS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RELIEF OF VICTIMS OF DISASTERS.

FIRST THE CAPACITY OF THE DEPARTMENT TO RESPOND SWIFTLY AND EFFECTIVELY HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED THROUGH DOUBLING THE NUMBER OF STAFF ON CALL IN AN EMERGENCY. THE TOTAL IS NOW 600.

THIS INCREASE HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY INVOLVING ALL DIVISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT WHEREAS UNDER PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENTS ONLY STAFF OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY DIVISION CARRIED OUT EMERGENCY DUTIES.

AT THE SAME TIME, EXPLAINED MR. FREDERICK CLARK, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE OPPORTUNITY HAS BEEN TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE RELIEF PROVISION ITSELF.

WHEN A DISASTER STRIKES, VICTIMS ARE REGISTERED FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF BASIC NECESSITIES SUCH AS FOOD AND BEDDING EITHER ON THE SPOT OR AT A NEARBY CONVENIENT LOCATION

THE DEPARTMENT HANDS OUT A RELIEF KIT FOR EACH PERSON AND THIS HAS NORMALLY ENCLUDED A BOWL, CHOP-STICKS, FACE TOWEL, SOAP, TOOTHBRUSH AND AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF BLANKETS DEPENDING UPON THE SEASON. COOKING POTS ARE ALSO ISSUED, AND HOT FOOD SUPPLIED FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S KITCHENS.

THE UTENSILS ISSUED WILL NOW INCLUDE DRINKING MUGS= THE DIETARY CONTENT HAS BEEN REVIEVED SO AS TO ALLOW MORE VARIED MEALS TO BE PROVIDED AND SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO HOLD SUPPLIES OF MILK POUDER TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INFANTS.

TO MAKE THINGS A LITTLE EASIER WHEN EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION IS IN USE, SLEEPING MATS WILL ALSO BE ISSUED TO ALL VICTIMS.

A FURTHER IMPROVEMENT WILL TAKE THE FORM OF A SUPPLY OF HOT WATER AVAILABLE FROM 3-GALLON ELECTRIC URNS WHICH CAN BE SET UP IN EMERGENCY LOCATIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE VICTIMS.

MR. CLARK ADDED THAT DURING 1973, THE DEPARTMENT'S EMERGENCY RELIEF TEAMS RESPONDED ON 141 OCCASIONS AND IN ALL HELP WAS GIVEN TO WELL OVER 8,000 PERSONS INVOLVING 2,000 FAMILIES WHO HAD TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES AS A RESULT OF FIRE AND OTHER DISASTERS.

THIS HAD ENTAILED A GREAT DEAL OF HARD AND DEVOTED WORK BY THE STAFF CONCERNED FREQUENTLY LATE INTO THE NIGHT OR DURING THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING. SUCH RELIEF WORK CHEERFULLY UNDERTAKEN WAS BY STAFF WHO ON RETURN TO NORNAL DUTIES HAD TO COPE WITH THEIR ORDINARY WORK.

THE EMERGENCY SERVICES, WHICH ARE ONE INCLUDED IN THE 5-YEAR PLAN, WILL CONTINUE TO BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW AND, WHEN APPROPRIATE, STEPS WILL BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THEY MATCH THE ESSENTIAL NEEDS OF ALL VICTIMS.

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