Sands China Packs and Distributes 1,500 Emergency Kits to Enhance the Community’s Disaster Preparedness
Programme co-organised with Macau Red Cross since 2019 to expand disaster
preparedness education and uphold the spirit of Sands Cares
(Macao, July 20, 2026) – Demonstrating its commitment to the Macao community, Sands China partnered with Macau Red Cross again this year to promote the Sands Cares Disaster Preparation & Emergency Response Kit Programme, marking the eighth consecutive year of the collaboration. Through packing and distributing emergency kits, holding disaster preparedness workshops, and organising educational activities at local schools, Sands China aims to further raise awareness of disaster readiness among different age groups and help strengthen the local community’s capabilities in emergency evacuation and disaster response.
Under the programme this year, Sands China once again arranged for its Sands Cares Ambassador community volunteers to assemble and distribute 1,500 emergency kits to four local schools and held workshops on site to teach students disaster preparedness and emergency evacuation at an early age. To increase fire emergency preparedness, Sands China added a fire evacuation mask to this year’s kit, helping residents and households further improve their response capabilities. Additionally, Sands China held a disaster preparedness workshop exclusively for its team members to heighten their readiness and enhance their ability to respond to various emergencies.
Co-organised by Sands China and Macau Red Cross since 2019, the Sands Cares Disaster Preparation & Emergency Response Kit Programme is supported by the Social Affairs Bureau and the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government. The programme has been extended to local schools since 2024, promoting relevant knowledge and distributing emergency kits to primary students through disaster preparation workshops, benefiting nearly 9,000 households to date.
Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd., said: “Sands China has been collaborating with Macau Red Cross on the Sands Cares Disaster Preparation & Emergency Response Kit Programme for eight consecutive years. Over the years, we have worked together to introduce disaster preparedness and emergency response knowledge to the community, in a bid to strengthen the relevant capabilities of the general public. This initiative has demonstrated our company’s commitment to caring for and serving the community, and has brought together community forces to promote the spirit of mutual support and assistance. This year, not only have we optimised the emergency kits and supplemented them with additional disaster preparedness items, but we have also extended the disaster preparation workshops to our team members for the first time, further expanding the impact of the programme. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Macau Red Cross for their close collaboration over the years, the Macao SAR government and all sectors of society for their support, and Sands Cares Ambassadors for their selfless dedication. Through this programme, Sands China will continue to fulfil the Sands Cares mission of serving the local community, strengthen their risk response capabilities, and contribute to the development of a blissful Macao.”
Owen Wong, deputy director of disaster relief affairs for Macau Red Cross, said: “Since the onslaught of Typhoon Hato and Typhoon Mangkhut, community disaster preparedness has become an integral part of our ongoing work. Our gratitude goes to Sands China for collaborating with us since 2019. Together, we have consistently advanced community disaster preparation workshops and the emergency kit initiative, sharing emergency response and evacuation skills in low-lying areas, at schools, and with households. In view of the severe fire incident in a neighbouring region, we have added a session on fire prevention and response to the existing workshop and a fire evacuation mask to the emergency kit, in order to strengthen the public’s ability to protect themselves in the event of a fire or smoke emergency. Throughout the past seven years of collaboration, we have always upheld the humanitarian spirit in our efforts—from relief supplies and epidemic prevention to enhancement of practical skills.”
Emergency Kits
Under the programme, Sands China organised Sands Cares Ambassadors to help assemble 1,500 emergency kits at the Macau Red Cross headquarters in June. The kits were designed by Macau Red Cross based on their experience in disaster preparedness and relief efforts, while the items were donated and sourced locally by Sands China. Each emergency kit is packed in a multi-functional waterproof bag and contains a variety of items, including a first aid pack, emergency blanket, disinfectant wipes, whistle, raincoat, KN95 facemasks, towel, adhesive tape, a multi-function dual power (hand crank and solar) emergency radio with LED flashlight, and a government emergency response leaflet with useful information about emergency shelters and disaster preparedness. This year, a fire evacuation mask was added to the kit to further enhance the Macao community’s preparedness for various emergencies.
The emergency kits were distributed through local schools to students, teaching staff and their families ahead of the typhoon season, ensuring timely public access to these essential contingency items.
Disaster Preparation Workshops at Local Schools
This year’s disaster preparation workshops were conducted at four local schools between June 17 and July 7: Our Lady of Fatima Girls’ School, Kwong Tai Middle School (branch campus), Primary School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School, and Escola Dom João Paulino. Hosted by a Macau Red Cross representative, the workshops shared information with Primary 1 to Primary 3 students on disaster readiness at home, emergency evacuation, access to reliable and accurate information, disaster response, and post-disaster relief, as well as lessons learned from past disasters. The workshops aimed not only to raise students’ safety awareness but also to encourage them to share disaster preparedness knowledge with their families, thereby amplifying the impact of community education.
Since extending beyond the community in 2024 to include local schools, the programme has now covered 19 schools located in Areia Preta, Patane, Fai Chi Kei, Ilha Verde, Toi San, and Taipa. It is expected to reach more neighbourhoods and schools to broaden the impact of disaster preparedness education in the community.
First Aid and Disaster Preparation Workshop
For the first time, the programme this year featured a First Aid and Disaster Preparation Workshop, along with the distribution of emergency kits to Sands China team members on property, with the aim of strengthening their understanding of disaster preparation and emergency response. A Macau Red Cross representative shared practical knowledge with Sands China team members, including essential first aid techniques, common disasters and risks in Macao, key preparedness measures for offices and households, emergency contact channels, and ways to receive official information. The workshop helped participants further strengthen their safety awareness in both their daily lives and in the workplace.
Photo caption: Sands Cares Ambassadors assemble 1,500 emergency kits at the Macau Red Cross headquarters June 11, with the aim of increasing public awareness of disaster preparedness and strengthening the local community’s ability to prepare for and respond to disasters.
Photo caption: The emergency kit is a multi-functional waterproof bag filled with various items, including a first aid pack, emergency blanket, disinfectant wipes, whistle, raincoat, KN95 facemasks, towel, adhesive tape, a multi-function dual power (hand crank and solar) emergency radio with LED flashlight, and a government emergency response leaflet with useful information about emergency shelters and disaster preparedness. This year, a fire evacuation mask was added to further enhance the community’s preparedness for various types of emergencies.
Photo caption: Sands Cares Ambassadors provide on-site support for a Disaster Preparation Workshop hosted by a Macau Red Cross representative at Kwong Tai Middle School (branch campus).
Photo caption: Sands Cares Ambassadors provide on-site support for the Disaster Preparation Workshop hosted by a Macau Red Cross representative at Our Lady of Fatima Girls’ School.
Photo caption: For the first time, the Sands Cares Disaster Preparation & Emergency Response Kit Programme this year featured a First Aid and Disaster Preparation Workshop and the distribution of emergency kits to Sands China team members on property, with the aim of enhancing their understanding of disaster preparation and emergency response.