Taiwan Futures Exchange program supports families in need and stretched social security network
Taiwan News
Date: 2020/07/31
By: Sophia Yang, Taiwan News, Staff Reporter
The Food Bank delivers a pack of supplies. (TAIFEX photo)
The Food Bank program has run for six years, with NT$50 million spent so far this year on diapers, baby formula, and food. TAIFEX Chairman Wu Tzu-hsin (吳自心) said more than 270,000 families have benefited from the program since it began in 2015.
Wu said the company will continue the initiative this year, as a higher pandemic-induced unemployment rate is expected to cause hardship for families. A recent survey was cited at the Friday event showing that even a 1 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate means the incidence of child abuse will increase by seven per 10,000 children — or 2,500 children based on the current national population of children aged under 18.
Over 290,000 people in Taiwan are living in poverty, according to data this year from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. They are also more likely to be affected by problems such as domestic violence, health, or financial stress. [FULL STORY]
