Shanghai is to provide relief to many poor families to ensure
all local people have a happy New Year and Spring
Festival.
Different types of aid will be provided to families living on
social relief and those who suffer financial difficulty because of
a family member's disability or disease.
The retired and unemployed, old people living on small pensions
with no offspring, as well as poor college students, will also be
helped during the festivals.
"To help people out of poverty and taste the fruits of
Shanghai's development is our duty," said Vice Party Secretary Liu
Yungeng. "The governments, communities and social institutes should
join together to set up a network to provide sufficient help, both
regularly and on festivals and special times."
Besides money, free winter coats and medical treatment, the city
is urging community and company officials to pay visits to homes of
the disabled and elderly who live alone, to send them season's
greetings.
It will also provide skill training to some unemployed to help
them find a new job.
The Shanghai Charity Foundation will also provide help and visit
poor families during the festivals.
(Shanghai Daily December 22, 2004)