DALAT: The Sarawak Welfare Department has spent a total of RM176.35 million on 52,785 monthly aid recipients from January to December this year.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said of the total, RM78.973 million was for a total of 20,332 aged individuals.
A total 8,736 children received RM19.428 million plus top up from Sarawak government of RM4.476 million.
The department also provide10,819 general assistance (RM28.032 million); allowance for 3,392 working disabled individuals (RM14.152 million); assistance for caring 1,913 disabled individuals/bed-ridden sick individuals (RM7.205 million); 352 disabled individuals unable to work (RM20.029 million); top up from Sarawak government (RM3.980 million); 19 bantuan anak pelihara (RM59,900); and 23 belia-beliawanis (RM12,300).
She disclosed this when officiating at the Sejambak Kasih Hari Krismas ceremony at Stadium Perpaduan Dalat here last Tuesday (Dec 22).
Fatimah, who is also Dalat assemblywoman revealed that there are currently 750 welfare department staff in Sarawak.
According to her, the current challenge is lack of staff to handle the job.
