Providing an urgent response for the victims of the Hong Kong fire
The Salvation Army works in partnership with the Hong Kong government to provide support to those affected by the Wang Fuk Court fire.
Almost three weeks on, as the ashes continue to settle over the Wang Fuk Court community in Tai Po, the true impact of this tragedy, which caused more than 150 deaths, is now beginning to ripple across Hong Kong.
When news of the catastrophe reached The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters in Hong Kong, the response was immediate. Teams of officers, together with professional personnel from the social services department, were deployed to assess and address the unfolding crisis. Emotions ran high as residents struggled to come to terms with the loss of loved ones, the uncertainty surrounding those still missing and the devastation of losing irreplaceable possessions. While pastoral and psychological support was offered to those affected, the full extent of the disaster, and the resources required, were only beginning to emerge.
In meeting the most urgent needs on the day when the fire broke out, two Salvation Army institutions located near Wang Fuk Court opened their doors to both the elderly and the families of the community displaced by the fire. The specialised skills of social workers and psychologists offered a stabilising presence. Ten Salvation Army officers were dispatched to provide support and pastoral care. As night fell, truckloads of warm clothing and care packages were dispatched to those impacted.
By the next morning, the scale of the crisis was apparent. In partnership with the government, The Salvation Army secured housing for 200 families across Hong Kong – a number that doubled in the days that followed. This provision offered both shelter and security, while the distribution of bedding, clothing and other essentials helped ease the immediate discomfort.
Support quickly rallied from across the city. Donations were channelled through The Salvation Army’s network of social workers, as volunteers from all walks of life stepped forward. As of 10 December:
- 20,000 pieces of clothing and daily necessities were delivered
- more than 2,000 beds were assembled.
These teams of volunteers deployed throughout the community not only met tangible needs, but their presence also restored a sense of dignity and worth to those affected. To this end, students from The Salvation Army’s schools prepared and added messages to care packages, offering their own words of sympathy, support and understanding.
Even now, the long-term implications of this tragedy are only beginning to become clear. The Salvation Army continues to be supportive in providing psychological and pastoral counselling, furnishing homes with essential items and underwriting funeral costs for families who have endured the most profound loss – the death of loved ones, regardless of their faith. While housing and basic needs are being met, this does not appease the sense of loss and confusion felt by those impacted. In this resulting void, The Salvation Army has become the key player in providing ongoing counselling and support.
As we look to the future, the true extent of this disaster continues to unfold. Salvation Army personnel remain a significant voice, alongside government agencies and other NGOs, in mapping the way ahead.
Colonel Philip Maxwell
Territorial Commander
Hong Kong and Macau Territory