Integrated resort (IR) operator Sands China said in a statement earlier this week that it recently held its sixth 2024 Sands Cares Disaster Preparation & Emergency Response Kit Programme, where over 90 Sands Cares Ambassadors participated in packing emergency kits and supporting disaster prevention workshops in schools.
The statement said that the programme was held in collaboration with the Macau Red Cross, which marked the sixth year of working on the programme together, and is supported by the Social Affairs Bureau (IAS) and the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ). The programme has benefitted 5,900 households to date.
This year’s campaign saw Sands Care Ambassadors help assemble 1,500 emergency response kits at the Macau Red Cross headquarters from June 5 to 6, according to the statement.
They were “customised to help the community better prepare for emergency situations, with items for disaster preparation, emergency escape, and personal health and safety”, featuring items like a first aid pack and a raincoat, the statement said. A new addition was a multi-function hand-cranked solar-powered emergency radio with LED flashlight, which can also serve as a power bank.
The statement added that the company will deliver the kits to nine local schools in Macau’s low-lying areas that may be affected during storm surges, expanding beneficiaries to include younger children from Primary 1 to 3 and their families.
Sands Cares Ambassadors also assisted with two disaster prevention workshops conducted by the Macau Red Cross on June 20 and 27 for local primary students at Lin Fong Pou Chai School and Santa Maria Mazzarello School.
The interactive workshops were attended by 100 students and teachers and covered related topics, and an introduction to the kits given out to participating families.
Macau Red Cross Disaster Relief Affairs Deputy Director Owen Wong was quoted in the statement as saying: “Through different forms of public education and community projects, we convey disaster preparedness knowledge and enhance the public’s confidence and ability to respond to disasters”.
Moreover, the company also ran its “Sands Cares Presents: What you need to know about disaster preparation” social media campaign from June 12 to 18, with winners of the quiz announced on June 20 and receiving F&B vouchers.
Concerning the initiatives, Sands China Ltd. Executive Vice Chairman Wilfred Wong Ying-wai was quoted by the statement as saying: “We are very pleased to have successfully completed the sixth consecutive year of this important initiative to help Macau residents have the information and tools they need to effectively respond to emergencies and natural disasters”.
This handout photo taken on June 5 and provided by Sands China earlier this week shows Sands Cares Ambassadors helping assemble emergency response kits at the Macau Red Cross headquarters.
