Gangdong-gu, Welfare Status Survey in Preparation for Post-Corona

Identifying New Forms of Poverty and Preparing Proactive Post-Corona Response Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) is conducting a survey from the 11th to the 30th to identify changes in living conditions, problems, and welfare needs of vulnerable groups before and after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

As COVID-19 prolongs, the number of households losing jobs and falling into poverty is increasing. Looking at the welfare service application status in Gangdong-gu from January to May this year, compared to last year before the COVID-19 outbreak, applications for Basic Livelihood Security increased by 45%, and applications for the Near-Poverty class increased by 188%.

Accordingly, Gangdong-gu plans to conduct a welfare status survey targeting vulnerable groups to identify new forms of poverty emerging in the post-COVID-19 era and proactively prepare welfare support measures accordingly.

First, Gangdong-gu will conduct the first welfare status survey targeting 300 households in Seongnae 2-dong, including ▲Near-Poverty class ▲single-person households ▲elderly living alone ▲vulnerable child-rearing households ▲multicultural and disabled households.

This survey will cover 27 items across 8 areas such as economic activities, social care, and mental health before and after COVID-19.

The survey will be conducted through cooperation between public and private sectors, including Seongnae 2-dong welfare planners, visiting nurses, and workers at Seongnae Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, with a principle of non-face-to-face telephone surveys. If a visit is necessary, personal prevention rules such as wearing masks and social distancing will be strictly followed.

The survey results will be shared with the ‘Gangdong-gu Livelihood Welfare TF Promotion Team’ and used as basic data for developing welfare policies.

For crisis households identified during the survey, public support such as the Basic Livelihood Security System and emergency support projects will be prioritized, and customized integrated services will be provided or linked with private services, including home counseling and support with donated goods.

Lee Jeong-hoon, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, stated, “New forms of poverty households are emerging due to COVID-19. Through this survey, we will listen to vivid voices from the field and consider various support measures for vulnerable groups to reflect them in policies.”

Gangdong-gu has formed the ‘Gangdong-gu Livelihood Welfare TF Promotion Team,’ led by the vice mayor and composed of welfare centers, welfare experts, volunteer groups, and welfare departments in the region, to protect vulnerable groups facing the COVID-19 crisis and prepare livelihood measures. The team will operate from June until the COVID-19 crisis is resolved.