As Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) continues to threaten Hong Kong, the cases have created certain anxiety and worries among the residents. To aid those who need help, the Hong Kong Red Cross has launched various programs in this special moment.

Wu said HKRC right now has a mission to mobilize the power of humanity and build a caring community.

Since early April, HKRC has been appealing to the public for support. Through the donations from the public, some 100,000 SARS prevention hygiene kits have been packed with the help of several hundreds of volunteers.

"Each packet contains facemasks, alcohol pads, sterilizing tablets and tailor-made SARS prevention guidelines and encouraging message, which are basic necessities," Wu said.

Organized by HKRC, volunteers participated on April 13 and 19 in the hygiene kits distribution and helped teach the elderly people how to prevent SARS and how to use the hygiene kits correctly.

"Wherever the volunteers arrived, residents were eager for information and suggestion, and we felt ourselves very much needed," Wu said.

Apart from distributing hygiene kits, HKRC also initiated a "Heart-to-Heart Card Campaign" to give SARS prevention tips to the general public and, at the same, encourage them to show appreciation for the medical personnel or inspiritment to SARS patients.

Moreover, a special web page for youth has been created to provide related news digest, and to encourage the younger generation to follow the SARS prevention health guidelines and to help spread such health knowledge.

HKRC, also providing great aid to mainland disaster areas these years, is now appealing for more support against SARS. Wu said they plan to raise HK$2 million (US$260,000 million) worth of hygiene kits to supply for the community.

"It's not a disaster, but Hong Kong residents are facing the threat and we must act," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2003)