The recent severe fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po destroyed hundreds of homes, leaving children in the district without the essentials for daily life and learning. Save the Children Hong Kong acted swiftly in the immediate aftermath, distributing stationery donated by students from Kellett School, the British International School in Hong Kong, to affected schools to meet the educational needs. In addition to launching a psychological support hotline in collaboration with the Department of Counselling and Psychology at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, which will offer emotional support to affected children and parents across Hong Kong, Save the Children Hong Kong is assessing the need for long-term emotional support. This will ensure that assistance can be delivered through schools to reach more students in need, helping them rebuild their lives and regain hope.

Psychological Support Hotline Launched Offering Cantonese, English and Mandarin Assistance

To help children and parents emerge from the shadow of this tragedy, Save the Children Hong Kong has partnered with counselling psychologists from the Department of Counselling and Psychology at the Hong Kong Shue Yan University to operate the Save the Children Hong Kong’s Child Psychological Support Hotline. The hotline will run daily from 9 am to 9 pm for three months (Mid-December to Mid-March next year) and can be reached at 3859 2625, supporting in Cantonese, English and Mandarin. At the same time, we are initiating our medium-to-long-term emotional support, focusing on assessing the emotional needs of students from kindergarten to secondary school lived in Wang Fuk Court. We are working with schools to implement the ‘Healing Heart and Mind’ programme, an expressive arts intervention, alongside follow-up counselling. Our goal is to help these children rebuild a sense of safety by returning to a normal daily life.

Kalina Tsang, CEO of Save the Children Hong Kong, said,

“Children and parents have endured immense emotional and practical stress during this disaster. Rebuilding sense of security and hope takes time and requires the strength of the entire community. Save the Children Hong Kong will continue to work hand in hand with schools, professionals and community partners to provide long-term support – from psychological care to educational aid – accompanying families step by step through this difficult journey so that children can look forward to a brighter future.”

Please support Save the Children Hong Kong in helping children affected by the Tai Po blaze: https://savethechildren.click/Tai-Po-Blaze-en