Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu (center) delivers a speech via video link during a press conference on the establishment of a coalition of anti-pandemic volunteers on March 7, 2022. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

A city-wide volunteer alliance comprising local anti-pandemic groups was set up in Hong Kong on Monday, with a pledge to raise at least HK$30 million ($3.84 million) to offer better safeguards for volunteers involved in the fight against the virus.

Initiated by the Hong Kong Community Anti-Coronavirus Link and the Hong Kong Volunteers Federation, the alliance will focus on caring for the elderly, promoting vaccination among children   and providing help to frontline medical workers. It will also offer online medical services to the public and carry out mass disinfection operations in old buildings.

Initiated by the Hong Kong Community Anti-epidemic Link and the Hong Kong Volunteers Federation, the alliance will focus on caring for the elderly, promoting vaccination among children   and providing help to frontline medical workers

The new group will launch a “volunteer care fund” aimed at raising HK$30 million in the first phase to ensure that volunteer workers are adequately equipped to fight the pandemic and offer them assistance in case they get infected.

Addressing a ceremony marking the alliance’s launch, Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee Ka-chiu praised the “selfless” efforts of the volunteers in battling the outbreak, adding that the alliance reflects the unity of various social organizations in Hong Kong. Backed by the Chinese mainland’s staunch support, he said the unity of Hong Kong people will ensure final victory in the battle against the pandemic.

ALSO READ: HK logs 25,150 new virus cases, launches reporting platform

Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, believes the new group will further bolster the SAR’s voluntary services during the pandemic.

She noted that the DAB itself has mobilized more than 1,000 volunteers to support the city’s efforts to curb the fifth wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. As of Saturday, the volunteers had helped about 28,000 people to get vaccinated besides handing out medical supplies and responding to public enquiries.

However, Lee said the DAB’s team has come under pressure, with 90 of its members infected and another 40 under home quarantine. She hopes more people can take part in the voluntary work to help Hong Kong ride out the crisis.

Stanley Ng Chau-pei, chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said the federation will fully support the new alliance in its anti-pandemic work.

READ MORE: Mainland experts learn of latest progress in HK inoculation drive

He said the federation has organized a team of more than 1,400 volunteers since early last month to help out in frontline pandemic control work.