Block
Name of Organization
Activities
Wong Tai Sin
E
Norwegian Lutheran Mission
Boys' & Girls' Club
D
International Christian Leadership First
Popular School
School
SUMMARY
Schools
...
Boys' & Girls' Clubs
+
Welfare Centres ...
24
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CHAPTER VIII
SQUATTER FIRES
107. Although steady progress in the clearance of the major squatter areas has reduced the risk of big squatter fires, there were twenty four squatter fires during the year under review, and 8,700 people were rendered homeless. Most of the fires were comparatively small, but there were six in which more than 200 people were affected.
108. It is not normally possible to resettle the victims of squatter fires immediately. The department works to a programme of clearance and resettlement, planned some months ahead, which is aimed at freeing land required for permanent development, and the resettlement of fire victims, which must of necessity be regarded as of secondary importance, can only be introduced into the programme as circumstances permit.
109. In the meantime however these people are not neglected. Immediately after a squatter fire those who have lost their homes are first registered by officers of the Social Welfare Department and then given free meals at emergency feeding centres set up by that Department. In the cold winter months, which is unfortunately the season when fires are most likely to occur, they are also given warm clothing and blankets donated by voluntary agencies.
110. Arrangements are then made for their temporary resettlement. Where the area of the fire is not likely to be required for permanent development in the near future and where it is not an encroachment on land held on lease from the Crown, squatters are allowed to rebuild their huts on the fire site or in the near vicinity. This was possible in the majority of fires that occurred during the year under review. In these cases care is taken to ensure that the sites allocated are well spaced out
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