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Jimmy Chow

Charities, donors and community workers have embraced an emergency appeal from Operation Santa Claus (OSC) to help families affected by last month’s deadly Hong Kong inferno.
The appeal runs alongside the annual fundraiser co-organised by the Post and public broadcaster RTHK. The aim is to help affected residents while keeping 13 partner projects on track during a winter that will be difficult for many.
It was launched after the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 26, which killed at least 161 people and left 5,000 homeless.

The tragedy prompted a swift response from partners old and new, who stepped forward despite their own limited resources.
Mind HK, one of this year’s beneficiaries, quickly organised a crisis support team of 17 clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, social workers and well-being practitioners.
They were on the ground at community shelters and mortuaries in the immediate aftermath of the Tai Po fire, providing in-person psychological support services to affected residents.
The organisation is now shifting its focus to medium- and long-term care. Trained well-being practitioners are being mobilised and upskilled, with referrals made to clinical professionals to expand the provision of free psychological support both online and in the community.
“In such a tragic crisis and abnormal situation, all feelings, including sadness, guilt, anger, anxiety and numbness, are normal. We believe mid- to long-term mental health support is essential in the recovery work,” said Candice Powell, CEO of Mind HK and a clinical psychologist.

Another OSC beneficiary, the Hong Kong Paediatric Rheumatism Association (HKPRA), has also been directly affected by the Tai Po tragedy.
Founded in 2005 by patients, parents and doctors, the group supports children with rare rheumatic diseases and helps families shoulder medical and care costs.
When the fire broke out, the association reviewed its entire patient database to check whether any families lived in Wang Fuk Court. It later found that one patient’s family had been living in one of the buildings and had lost their home in the blaze.
HKPRA then worked with another NGO partner to arrange temporary accommodation for the family of three.

The association has remained in close contact with the family to ensure they continue to have access to follow-up medical treatment and daily necessities during a period of disrupted routines.
“We organised a just-in-time seminar on November 30 on emotional well-being for children with rheumatic diseases and their caretakers. The fire has affected many people in different ways, even those who may not have friends or relatives directly involved,” said Florence Chow, a spokeswoman for the HKPRA.
OSC donors have kept up their Christmas fundraising events despite the sombre mood. Choir performances, fairs and community drives have gone ahead across the city.
Businesses have also been asked to display messages of support in their shops and offices to remind customers of the appeal.
OSC has also reached out to migrant worker NGO partners and is working on post-crisis support for injured workers, as well as for those who have lost their jobs or loved ones in the fire.

The Post’s Serve team has been working with OSC to mobilise volunteers for the social service units in Tai Po, preparing supplies and assisting with community activities as needed.
The emergency appeal is expected to pay for urgent rehousing, health needs and longer-term recovery work for the affected Tai Po residents while support continues for the 13 charity projects chosen for this year’s campaign.
Established in 1988, OSC has raised around HK$396 million (US$50.9 million) for over 365 charity projects and helped more than 100,000 people throughout the years.
Click here to learn more about how to donate to OSC.


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Hong Kong society

Operation Santa Claus appeal for Hong Kong’s fire-hit residents embraced

OSC volunteers at Santa’s Neon Studio. Photo: Handout

Mind HK volunteers write cards to fire-hit residents. Photo: Handout

The Hong Kong Paediatric Rheumatism Association holds a seminar on emotional well-being. Photo: Handout

Chocolate, cheer and charity: Hong Kong children whip up treats at festive workshop

Children from the Hong Kong Paediatric Rheumatism Association enjoyed a festive workshop organised by Hong Kong’s Nina Hotel Island South and Operation Santa Claus. Photo: Handout  

Nina Hospitality managing director Simon Manning helping one of the children craft their sweet treat. Photo: Handout  

The children were also treated to a Christmas lunch buffet. Photo: Handout

Operation Santa Claus: Hong Kong Disneyland spreads magic to support charity drive

The Holiday Wishes Postcards were first introduced in 2019. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong Disneyland cast members. The Holiday Wishes Postcards are sold for HK$10 each. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong Santa Hash run spreads festive cheer and raises funds for charity

Festively dressed participants hit the streets to take part in the annual Santa Hash charity run. Photo: Handout

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News

Hong Kong

Society

Tragedy prompts swift response, with one beneficiary, Mind HK, organising crisis support team of psychologists, social workers and well-being practitioners


Tragedy prompts swift response, with one beneficiary, Mind HK, organising crisis support team of psychologists, social workers and well-being practitioners.


Operation Santa Claus

Mind HK

Operation Santa Claus appeal for Hong Kong’s fire-hit residents embraced

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Tragedy prompts swift response, with one beneficiary, Mind HK, organising crisis support team of psychologists, social workers and well-being practitioners

Tragedy prompts swift response, with one beneficiary, Mind HK, organising crisis support team of psychologists, social workers and well-being practitioners