Tai Po fire tragedy brings out the true meaning of community

Hong Kong is going through one of its most difficult times in recent history. From what we have seen of the communities coming together for Tai Po, where the worst fire in decades ripped through a residential block leaving devastation that is almost unimaginable, there is hope that we will come out of this stronger.

The loss of lives, including that of a firefighter, and homes that residents have spent decades making is crushing. It will take a good deal of time for those affected to fully grieve. As a community, we grieve with them and stand by them. Our thoughts and hearts are with them during these very difficult times.

The outpouring of support from all walks of life has been phenomenal. True to what has always been the city’s response to disasters within or beyond our shores, corporations and charitable foundations have pledged hundreds of millions of dollars to help victims and provide immediate relief.

While emergency and rescue service personnel work around the clock, we have charity and social services organisations coming together, arriving on-site almost as quickly to organise, coordinate and provide practical support such as temporary shelters, counselling and distributing essential supplies.

Caterers have suspended business elsewhere to make nutritious hot meals for displaced residents. Drivers have made themselves available for deliveries. Many others have made deliveries on foot.

Ordinary residents have come out in truly impressive numbers to lend helping hands and do much of the heavy lifting. Some put their professional skills and knowledge to good use, helping to sort, manage and organise residents’ information by creating websites and spreadsheets just hours after the fire broke out. These are just some examples of the amazing work and response of individuals. This is the power of community that we see especially in times of tragedy.

  

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