Coronavirus: from free test kits to emergency relief packages, Hongkongers and NGOs come together to help those in need

On Friday afternoon, more than 10 people were queuing outside Hong Kong’s Tung Chau Street Park with their trolleys, ready to collect emergency relief packages from NGO Christian Action.

Among the recipients were refugees living in Sham Shui Po, some of whom had brought along their young children. Many of them opened the fully loaded nylon carrier bags right away, smiling in relief as they piled foodstuffs and test kits into their trolleys before heading home.

In the past month, NGOs and individuals have been distributing essential goods – from rapid antigen test kits to food and toiletries – to those in need in their communities. Many of these emergency packages were assembled within days, with the donations coming from residents and various organisations.

Jeffrey Andrews, a social worker from Christian Action, told the Post that he had received an overwhelming response from a post made on the group’s Facebook page. Within three days, his office in Chungking Mansions was filled with boxes of foodstuffs, toiletries and test kits from donors from all walks of life.

Among the donors were a Buddhist NGO, which gave away pre-packed bags with rice, toiletries and instant noodles, while police officers contributed sanitisers and masks. Logistics company Lalamove offered the use of its vans for deliveries.

The idea for an emergency supplies delivery came during a Covid-19-induced shutdown of Christian Action’s office. A volunteer made and delivered 25 test kits to clients who had reached out to her during the two-week closure. When the office reopened last Tuesday, this became its priority mission.

Nana Choiriyah, a 43-year-old Indonesian refugee, said she had been worried about getting supplies from supermarkets and the risk of her young children becoming infected.