Homeless deaths prompt urgent action

The deaths of a migrant worker and a vagrant in Central China's Henan province have prompted urgent and wide-ranging action by civil affairs officials, who are asking people to show more care for those forced to live rough.

"The work of helping vagrants and beggars needs active participation of all aspects of society," said Civil Affairs Minister Li Liguo, as both individuals had been confirmed dead because of the extreme cold in Henan. 

He promised that the ministry will make improvements to related laws and regulations, and introduce better cooperation and communication between departments right across the country to assist in helping the disadvantaged group next year.

Li's comments coincided with the publication of a circular, outlining various measures by civil affairs departments.

The notice said: "We will make sure that vagrants and beggars receive timely, effective and professional assistance and services which can help them return home and return to society."

Social workers and volunteers are asked to monitor and report the appearance of beggars or vagrants, and are encouraged to provide them with emergency assistance if needed.

Enterprises and businesspeople are encouraged to provide support in the form of money, goods or facilities for those in need, the notice said.

Local civil affairs departments are told to purchase services from social welfare and nursing organizations, and work closer with social welfare organizations, psychological counseling and rehabilitation agencies, and educational training organizations to tackle the problem. 

There are already many places working to help those in need.

In Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi province, civil affairs authorities have three vehicles working around the clock patrolling the city to provide emergency assistance to people in need.

Ma Li, director of a rescue center for homeless children in Xuzhou, in East China's Jiangsu province, welcomed the governments' moves, but said the specific needs of different groups still have to be taken into account.

"Rescue centers run by the government can only guarantee food, shelter and basic medical services in the short term, but in our case, vagrant children have to be sent home," he said.

"However, many children are not suitable to be returned to their original homes for complicated reasons," he added. "We badly need NGOs to explore effective ways to resettle those children."