美援與臺灣的社會救助－以480公法為主的討論

Abstract

戰後美援的產生，一方面要共產勢力之擴張，一方面也可以開拓自身農產品的國際市場，雖不乏自利主義，也不能否認其人道主義一面。而歐美歷史上社會救助以宗教、民間團體為主導的傳統，也顯現在戰後各地區的復原行動，尤其在480公法通過後，美國登記在案的民間團體都可以申請大量的無償救濟物資，省去自行募捐的精神與時間，這樣的官民合作是互利共生的。 在臺灣主要負責申請進口物資的天主教福利會與基督教福利會於1955到1968年間，平均每年進口近千萬美元的物資，不管是一般貧民的救助或是災後的救助，都有很大的幫助，其建立了配給制度，使物資能夠定期的送給需要的貧民，與臺灣政府和各民間團體也有密切的合作關係。本文則嘗試呈現戰後美援這些救濟物資運作的這些情況，包含救濟制度從無到有的建立，官民間的協調互動等。雖然其中難免有一些缺失和摩擦，其對當時的社會救助貢獻仍不容忽視。The purpose of American-Aid after World War II is to restrain the expansion of communism, on the other hand, to open up the international marketplace for American agricultural product. There is no lack of egoism, but we can`t deny the aspect of humanitarianism. The tradition of relying religious groups or NGOs steeping into social welfare works is important in rehabilitated areas. Especially after the signing of Public Law 480, NGOs in America can apply for great quantity of surplus commodities, saves time and trouble to solicit for funds. This form of cooperation between government and civilian is mutually beneficial. The major religious groups applying for surplus commodities in Taiwan are Taiwan Christian Service and National Catholic Welfare Committee. From 1955 to 1968, these two groups import approximately 10 million of surplus commodities per year, it does a great job in relief poor people and people after disasters. Both Groups also establish the ration card system in Taiwan, it helps the surplus commodities distribution become stable and regular. The coordination between these two groups and government and other NGOs are good enough to do the relief works. This article tries to present how the surplus commodities work in Taiwan, including the establishing of distribution system, the coordination between government and NGOs. Although there are unavoidable problems and conflicts, the contribution of American-Aid to social relief works is not easy to leave aside.