In the event of overseas major incidents, disasters and other unforeseen crises, Hong Kong residents may experience death, injuries or severe threats to their safety. The Hong Kong Government has laid out response plans to assist and support Hong Kong residents in the course of major incidents, e.g. deployment of Hong Kong Emergency Response Team which consists of various departments. In 2004, Hospital Authority (HA) established the Emergency Response Operations Outside the Hong Kong SAR Support Team (HA-EROOHK-ST) in response to the government's 3-Tier Response mechanism for disasters and major incidents overseas. Incidents are assessed by different bureaus, departments and agencies. If required, HA Clinical Psychologists join the HA-EROOHK-ST on a voluntary basis to provide psychological support for Hong Kong residents and team members.
HA Psychological Support for Overseas Disasters and Major Incidents
Target Client Groups:
- Hong Kong residents overseas
- Hong Kong Emergency Response Team
Service Provider:
- HA Clinical Psychologists
Service Scope:
- Provide psychological counselling services for Hong Kong residents outside the HKSAR that are affected by disasters
- Provide members of the Hong Kong Emergency Response Team with stress management services for major incidents
- During major disasters (e.g. Sichuan Earthquake), assistance will also be provided to residents and professionals in the disaster zone