Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://hongkongfp.com/2020/08/17/c...-grows-as-charities-close-community-services/
Covid-19: Hong Kong’s homeless population grows as charities close community services
by Rhoda Kwan 12:51, 17 August 2020
Hong Kong’s homeless are growing in number as a fresh wave of coronavirus infections claims jobs, but charities are finding it increasingly hard to care for them due to tighter rules aimed at combating the disease.
Two NGOs, ImpactHK and M?dicins Sans Fronti?res (MSF), noticed a sharp increase in the number of street sleepers on their nightly assistance rounds in Tsim Sha Tsui last month, with numbers rising from 35 to 55.
The rise has created a greater demand for health care and other essential services. But with the government’s tighter restrictions on restaurants and public gatherings, charities are finding it increasingly difficult to meet needs.
MSF volunteer homeless
MSF volunteer with a homeless individual. Photo: M?dicins Sans Fronti?res.
“MSF is extremely concerned about how Covid-19 could affect people living in already precarious situations,” a spokesperson said.
Without access to proper hygiene and other preventative measures, the homeless face a greater risk of infection, she said.
“Some of them have been unemployed for months due to the outbreak and it’s their first time to sleep in the streets. The closure of publicly accessible bathrooms, suspension of services by some meal providers and of sleeping areas in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic affected them particularly.”...
Covid-19: Hong Kong’s homeless population grows as charities close community services
by Rhoda Kwan 12:51, 17 August 2020
Hong Kong’s homeless are growing in number as a fresh wave of coronavirus infections claims jobs, but charities are finding it increasingly hard to care for them due to tighter rules aimed at combating the disease.
Two NGOs, ImpactHK and M?dicins Sans Fronti?res (MSF), noticed a sharp increase in the number of street sleepers on their nightly assistance rounds in Tsim Sha Tsui last month, with numbers rising from 35 to 55.
The rise has created a greater demand for health care and other essential services. But with the government’s tighter restrictions on restaurants and public gatherings, charities are finding it increasingly difficult to meet needs.
MSF volunteer homeless
MSF volunteer with a homeless individual. Photo: M?dicins Sans Fronti?res.
“MSF is extremely concerned about how Covid-19 could affect people living in already precarious situations,” a spokesperson said.
Without access to proper hygiene and other preventative measures, the homeless face a greater risk of infection, she said.
“Some of them have been unemployed for months due to the outbreak and it’s their first time to sleep in the streets. The closure of publicly accessible bathrooms, suspension of services by some meal providers and of sleeping areas in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic affected them particularly.”...