Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation (the Foundation) today announced the official launch of the second phase of “Wu Wu Cheng” Community Mutual Support initiative as part of its Anti-epidemic Community Support Programme. Underpinning the initiative is 10 organisations with a total fund of HK$14 million. The initiative aims to provide vulnerable communities across 12 districts in the city with HK$400-600 consumption vouchers for food and necessities from local small stores, benefiting 20,000 people from approximately 7,500 families, including elderlies, low-income families, sub-divided flats residents and unemployed.

“Wu Wu Cheng” Community Mutual Support Initiative Promotes Neighbourhood Cohesion

Initiated by the Foundation, the initiative sowed the seeds of solidarity and fostered cohesion in indigenous communities by connecting disadvantaged and vulnerable groups with local small businesses – “district-based” consumption vouchers were distributed through local NGOs between July and December last year, which helps address the pressing needs of the underprivileged, promoting mutual support and social cohesion.

In light of the soaring fifth wave of COVID-19, the second phase of the initiative has added nine funders, namely Chan Cheung Mun Chung Charitable Fund, Fu Tak Iam Foundation, Kadoorie Charitable Foundation, Kerry Group, Lee Hysan Foundation, Lee Kum Kee Family Foundation, Si Yuan Foundation, Simon K.Y. Lee Foundation and ZeShan Foundation (in alphabetical order), to provide greater support for the community between April and September this year on post-pandemic economic recovery.

The new phase of the initiative represents a culmination of efforts with a strong focus on partnership with 12 non-governmental organisations and approximately 200 local small stores to achieve three main objectives:

• Easing the financial burden of underprivileged families with food aid and emergency supplies
• Supporting minority-owned small businesses in difficult times by supplementing their income and stimulating consumption
• Strengthening neighbourhood support networks and boosting communal harmony by facilitating bonding between the underprivileged and their communities

“The marginalised communities were hit the hardest during the fifth wave of pandemic which has presented unprecedented challenges that cannot be addressed alone,” said Mr. Peter Cheng, Chairman of the Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation. “In view of this, we have proactively reached out to other funders and engaged them in the Foundation-initiated ‘Wu Wu Cheng’ Community Mutual Support initiative, while joining hands with NGOs partners to roll out the second phase of the initiative for a wider coverage across 12 districts in the city. It further promotes mutual support and cultivates the spirit of solidarity, strengthening community cohesion.”

The Staged Approach of CTFCF’s Anti-epidemic Community Support Programme

Since the coronavirus outbreak in Hong Kong, the Foundation’s Anti-epidemic Community Support Programme has adopted a staged, three-pronged approach to address the most pressing needs of the community and help the disadvantaged overcome adversities.

During the fifth wave of COVID-19, the Foundation

1. Provides timely relief

The Foundation teamed up with various charitable organisations to promptly address the urgent need for anti-epidemic supplies and self-quarantining at home between early and mid-March.

In partnership with Caritas Youth and Community Service, the Foundation provided over 600 anti-epidemic kits which consist of rapid antigen test (RAT) kits, digital thermometer, medical supplies such as paracetamol with instruction sheets and cash coupons for low-income families in Aberdeen, Western District, Kowloon City and Kwun Tong.

The Foundation also worked with Chain of Charity Movement and Centre for Gerontological Nursing of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to distribute bottles of disinfectant alcohol to the elderlies.

2. Bridges the unmet needs

The Foundation also pledged support to the second and third phases of “Grants for Frontline Staff at Residential Care Homes for the Elderly” scheme launched by St. James’ Settlement and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service via CTFE Social Solutions in partnership with The D. H. Chen Foundation and Kerry Group between mid-March and early May. The scheme has provided a maximum of HK$15,000 per person to 300 qualified staff of residential care homes to reduce the risk of infection while enabling frontline staff to enjoy a worry-free life after work.

3. Supports post-pandemic recovery

In addition to accomplishing the projects under the second phase of the Community Mutual Support initiative, the Foundation also partnered with RunOurCity to organise a series of “BEE Health Coach” online wellness support workshops featuring exercise, diet, rest and communications and targeting 500 members from underprivileged families for a six-month period starting from mid-April. Participants will learn how to develop healthy lifestyles and apply their professional knowledge to take care of the physical and mental health of their families.