UNICEF HK to help children fight novel coronavirus

A United Nations-affiliated charity said on Friday it'll provide hygiene bags with personal care items, such as masks, to children from low-income families amid growing concerns over the safety of students with classes due to resume next month.

Judy Chen, chairperson of the Hong Kong Committee for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF HK), said vulnerable children from grassroots families have been exposed to huge risks in the current health crisis due to a lack of resources.

Therefore, the organization intends to help those most in need in the community, she said.

UNICEF HK will purchase 1 million child masks for local children in need, using donations from property tycoon Lee Shau-kee's son, Martin Lee Ka-shing, through the Henderson Development Anti-Epidemic Fund. Martin Lee is chairman and managing director of Henderson Investment - one of the city's largest property developers.

UNICEF HK said there could be a severe shortage of surgical masks for children when the new semester resumes in mid-April as scheduled.

The organization has trained more than 100 volunteers, who will make home visits to 10,000 low-income families to disseminate coronavirus prevention instructions and distribute hygiene bags with personal care items.

About 40,000 children in Hong Kong, aged 15 or below, come from low-income families living in subdivided units, according to the Census and Statistics Department.

In addition, children with chronic diseases and weak immune systems will also be helped by UNICEF HK.