GOVT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT NGOS TO HELP VULNERABLE GROUPS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 (BERNAMA) -- The government will continue to support non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to sustain and develop programmes and facilities to help marginalised and socially vulnerable groups.

"We welcome corporations and NGOs to share with us time, energy and
expertise," Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Chew Mei Fun
said at a Rotary luncheon talk here Monday.

She said the NGOs could complement the government's efforts and help refer
people who were in need to the relevant agencies.

The ministry had provided special grants to NGOs to implement their
programmes and activities such as skills training, awareness and advocacy
programmes which targeted women, family and community development, she said.

Chew said the target groups included women, family, children, disabled
persons, the elderly, the destitute, disaster victims and voluntary welfare
organisations.

As of October 2009, RM4.6 million (US$1.4 million) had been approved to 151
NGOs to implement programmes and activities at the grassroots level, she added.

Chew also urged corporations and NGOs to take advantage of the RM100
million (US$29.4 million) pledged by the government in the 2010 Buget to improve
corporate social responsbility programmes.
-- BERNAMA