Pray for our friends in Hong Kong

Going into lunchtime in the UK on Wednesday, we began to receive depressing news from our friends and family. The fire at Tai Po was the biggest we've experienced. I lived on Hong Kong Island, around an hour train ride to Tai Po. Travelling to Tai Po was considered as quite the excursion for little islanders like myself. It's a lovely town with hiking trails and beautiful BBQ sites among the reservoirs. The current casualty stands at 128 with a hundred more missing. And, 2000 families have lost their homes. Wednesday's tragedy is felt by all of us with an attachment to Hong Kong.

(Latest news from Hong Kong in English.)

Housing estates are such normal places where we live in Hong Kong. Public housing estates are a vital public policy in bridging the gaps in the society and to provide more opportunities in the social ladder. It complements a system of public schools and half of the city's population lives in public housing.

We're truly touched many of you have gotten in contact over the past 3 days on how you may help. Many local residents in Hong Kong have organised grassroots initiatives. Our advice is to go through local churches in Hong Kong who your local friend migrated from Hong Kong used to go to.

We pray that the authorities have the compassion and wisdom to provide re-housing over the next few weeks. Hong Kong is packed and housing stocks come as a rarity. There will need to be coordination among public and private developments. We also pray that there can be a proper inquiry. Hong Kong has one of the world's strictest fire safety building codes. But it hasn't prevented this depressing tragedy. Hong Kongers are concerned whether there will be a fair inquiry. And lastly, do keep in prayers for the families who've lost their love ones. The fire at Wang Fuk Court is felt - Hong Kongers living in HK and aboard. 

- Nicholas
On behalf of the LibdemsHK team