City boosts support for underprivileged children
Shanghai is stepping up efforts to care for disadvantaged and at-risk youth, local civil affairs officials announced on Thursday, which also marked the 4th Charity Day of China.
The city has about 5,000 children who face challenges resulting from family poverty, improper or absent guardianship, or physical disability, according to the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau.
"A protection system for this vulnerable group has been established in the city," said Jiang Rui, deputy director of the bureau.
Disadvantaged children in the city who meets certain criteria can now receive a monthly 1,800-yuan (US$252) living cost subsidy, and temporary child-nursing venues have been established citywide, the bureau said.
Professional child care and protection teams have also been set up at the grassroots level. Every subdistrict in the city has designated a community worker whose duties include identifying vulnerable children and providing necessary assistance.
Five public-interest lawsuits in which authorities applied for the deprivation of guardianship from incompetent parents have been filed since 2017, punishing adults who abandon their children and protecting the rights of juveniles, the bureau said.
Looking ahead, the basic living-expense standard of these children will be further lifted, the bureau said.
"In addition, we will also cultivate and regulate social organizations which provide care to children, issue supporting policies and at the same time release standards covering facilities, service content and personnel at these organizations," said Jiang.
On Thursday, a foundation for the protection and care of needy children was established with a donation of 1 million yuan. In addition, a children's charity trust project with 400,000 yuan in funds was also set up on Thursday, and 40 students received scholarships from this trust.
"We hope to provide both physical and psychological care to these children for their healthy growth and all-round development," said Jiang.
