TWENTY thousand children in Hongkong are suffering psychological distress and an inadequate diet, but their plight is almost ignored by the Government and agencies, social workers claim.
They are the territory's ''invisible'' victims of poverty - children living on public assistance.
''They are people hidden and suffering in silence,'' said Dr Cecilia Chan Lai-wan, Hongkong University lecturer in social work and social administration.
''We have cases where children stopped talking because they are so depressed - one four-year-old stopped talking for three years.
''They seem to be invisible. No help is offered to them except for this meagre level of public assistance.
''All the charity organisations yearly give out blankets and laisee packets to the elderly, but no one thinks of the kids.'' Dr Chan said the level of public assistance given to children, even under the revised Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, effective from July 1, was inadequate to meet the needs of growing children.
