DBS HK announces new initiative to help the vulnerable

DBS Hong Kong has announced an initiative as part of its regional fund to help the elderly and vulnerable groups amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The “Care More” initiative is part of the bank’s regional “DBS Stronger Together Fund” which is worth about HK$57 million.

The bank will support self-financing non-profit organisation Senior Citizen Home Safety Association. The aim is to increase its outreach services by more than 20,000 service sessions, including calls and home visits by professional social workers or registered nurses to better address the emotional and physical wellbeing of the elderly.

“Senior Citizen Home Safety Association is acutely aware of the impact of COVID-19 on the elderly community, as they have been under particular threat, both physically and mentally, since the COVID-19 outbreak. We are grateful for DBS’ help as this timely support will allow us to further extend our elderly care services at this crucial moment,” said Maura Wong, CEO of the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association.

The Senior Citizen Home Safety Association will also help vulnerable seniors with more than 30,000 care and food packs procured from social enterprise Agent of Change, which helps the underprivileged by selling quality food and household goods at a low cost.

“The shortage of personal protective equipment is causing anguish in the community. We are very thankful for DBS’ overwhelming support to social enterprises, as our special ‘HKAddOil’ Box, with anti-epidemic materials, daily necessities and food, will help bring comfort, confidence and care to the beneficiaries,” said William Chan, executive director of Agent of Change.

DBS Hong Kong’s programme also includes DBS employees, with a pledge to match every dollar raised by employees for local charity partner Foodlink Foundation, which is working to provide DBS with “Care More” Food Packs to help hard-hit individuals and families. In total, DBS Hong Kong and its employees are seeking to provide at least 8,000 food packs.

Robin Hwang, executive director of Foodlink Foundation, said: “It has been a very challenging environment for charities, and DBS’ support will mean that Foodlink is able to continue to ‘Replace Hunger with a Smile’ by providing those who are most vulnerable to hunger with food assistance. This is a great reminder that we are all human and are all in this together.”

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