Affected by extreme weather last month, severe flooding happened in large area of Hong Kong, including the North District. YWCA reacted promptly to coordinate post-disaster solutions including comforting the flood victims and identifying their immediate needs, organising volunteer teams from different sectors, pleading for donation from corporations, and liaising with different government departments to coordinate all remedy work. Many responded to our calls and lent flood victims a helping hand. Not only did individuals help to repair victims’ homes, different organisations and corporations donated furniture and domestic appliances to the affected families. On behalf of our service users, the Association would like to express gratitude for the love and care from all over the community, in the midst of the relentless destruction of the nature. 

While the urban areas were devastated after the powerful tropical cyclone and heavy rain in early September, the situation in the rural areas and villages was even worse. YWCA’s Ellen Li District Elderly Community Centre lined up volunteers to visit Sha Tau Kok, Ping Che, Tsiu Keng and Ta Kwu Ling, and assist residents to clean up the mess brought by rainwater. Professionals conducted assessments to prevent damaged electrical appliances and furniture from causing danger. They were also concerned about the health of the elderly, and therefore arranged simple medical check-ups.

Apart from the participation of YWCA volunteers, the Association has also gained support from the community, including Tai Po & North District Planning & Coordinating Team of the Social Welfare Department, medical and healthcare volunteers of North District Hospital, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Fortress, etc. Apart from paying visits and serving the victims in person, furniture and electrical appliances donations, such as rice cookers and air cooler and heater, have been made to help the affected residents to resume normal life as soon as possible.