Service Projects

"The earthquake has left us with nothing. My sons and daughters got cold and got sick because we did not have any place to keep them warm. We had a water well which was also destroyed by earthquake and now we don't have drinking and clean water," said Muhammad Ishaq, an Afghan father of 12 who lost his house in earthquake and had to face extreme winter conditions in temporary shelters.

It is estimated that 110 million people around the world are forced to leave their homes out of which 43.3 million are children. Violence, persecution, conflict, poverty, natural disasters and climate change continue to force people to flee. People on the move face extraordinary risks to their lives, safety, dignity, and well-being.

More than 58,000 migrants are known to have died worldwide during the dangerous journey since 2014, with nearly half of them documented along the Mediterranean routes. The Central Mediterranean route from North Africa to Italy remains one of the most dangerous routes for people crossing to Europe by sea. Since 2022, Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) has deployed three medical volunteers to participate in the International Red Cross' rescue mission in the Mediterranean Sea.

One of the medical volunteers, Wilbur Chan Chi Keung recounted his mission on the Ocean Viking rescue ship, "Of the 86 people we have encountered, 69 were unaccompanied minors under 17. They were fortunate to have boarded the rescue vessel. Their boat probably would have capsized if we arrived late. Even if they perished in the waves, their families would not be able to know anything about it." He described it as an endless tragedy, with countless people daring to embark on a sea journey just to flee from war, hunger and fear.

Dr. Kwong Wing Yan joined the Ocean Viking mission in late July 2023 to provide medical care to the rescued. Having been actively engaged in humanitarian work over the years including deployment in 2015 Nepal earthquake, she believes that closure of a mission does not mark the end of one's humanitarian journey and wishes to do more to help those in need.

The International Red Cross supports people on the move to save lives and prevent suffering via the provision of food, hygiene items, tents, medical and cash assistance. Additional protection support is also provided including mental health, child protection, prevention of sexual and gender-based violence and anti-trafficking, as well as support in restoring family links.

HKRC launched the "Home for People on the Move" appeal in May 2023 to raise funds for the worldwide displaced population. Throughout the years, HKRC has supported vulnerable people on the move in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Ukraine, Syria and Sudan through different life-saving humanitarian projects and deployment of staff and volunteers. Our contribution since 2013 amounted to HKD 39 million. Your support can help bring them a little hope. Please donate to support our humanitarian work.