Huang Qilin (center), President of the Federation of Chinese Organizations in the Netherlands, and Zhang Tinghong (second from right), President of the European Hakka Association Benelux, presented a charity check to Naomi Barki-van Vliet (second from left), President of the Lichtpuntjes van Mariahoeve Foundation, on behalf of overseas Chinese in the Netherlands.  Source: NOS Journaal

On the afternoon of February 6th, a donation ceremony was held at the Lichtpuntjes van Mariahoeve Foundation in The Hague,  the Federation of Chinese Organizations in the Netherlands presented funds on behalf of overseas Chinese in the Netherlands to the victims of the explosion in the Tarwekamp district of The Hague. Huang Qilin, President of the Federation of Chinese Organizations in the Netherlands, Chen Long, Executive President, and Zhang Tinghong, President of the European Hakka Association Benelux, who was responsible for coordinating the donation with the foundation, attended the ceremony and presented a check of €45,500.00 to Naomi Barki-van Vliet, President of the Foundation.

Major Dutch national media outlets including NOS Journaal, De Telegraaf, Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau (ANP), Algemeen Dagblad (AD), Hart van Nederland, SBS 6, RTL Nieuws, Nu.nl, as well as local Hague media such as Omroep West and Lokale TV (The Hague), all attended and reported on the event. This is a rare concentrated positive coverage of the Chinese community by Dutch media, serving as another testament to the integration of overseas Chinese in the Netherlands  local society and their participation in community affairs.

Group photo after the donation

Group photo of Chinese representatives attending the donation ceremony. Fourth from left: Mr. Shen Lifa, President of the Jiangsu Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands.

Chairman Huang Qilin stated that after the explosion in The Hague, the Federation of Chinese Organizations in the Netherlands called on various Chinese associations to donate generously to help the affected residents, which received an enthusiastic response from Chinese communities and public-spirited individuals. Therefore, this donation was made in the name of all overseas Chinese in the Netherlands. “We live in the Netherlands; it is our second home. As members of Dutch society, we have a bounden duty to take responsibility,” he said. “At the same time, we want Dutch society to see the warmth and kindness of the Chinese community, and the contributions we make to the Netherlands.”

Mr. Shen Lifa, President of the Jiangsu Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands, actively rallied members, who responded enthusiastically and raised funds in a short time to show their care and support for the victims.

After receiving the donations, and entrusted by the Federation of Chinese Organizations in the Netherlands and Chairman Huang Qilin, President Zhang Tinghong contacted relevant Dutch authorities to finalize the donation arrangements, and finally connected with the Hague relief foundation Lichtpuntjes van Mariahoeve. “During our contact with them, I could clearly feel that the Dutch people are truly grateful to us, because we are not only helping our Chinese compatriots who lost their lives, but all victims,” he said. “This is a very meaningful act, the result of the t efforts of all participating Chinese. We hope this donation will remind people not to forget the explosion and encourage more people to show their care.”

“This is wonderful. It is so needed. I am very grateful to the Chinese community for this kind gesture towards all those affected,” said President Naomi. She explained that the foundation had previously raised €654,000. Combined with the €45,500 donated by the Chinese community in the Netherlands, the total amounts to nearly €700,000. This will be divided  43 shares of €15,572.23 each, to be distributed to the 43 families and property owners affected by the explosion. Every effort will be made to complete the distribution this month.“Everyone is experiencing grief and pain,” she said.

During the donation event, President Zhang Tinghong and President Naomi were interviewed by multiple Dutch media outlets respectively to introduce the relevant situation. President Naomi repeatedly mentioned the Chinese community to the media, expressing gratitude for the donation and giving positive comments. “They (the Chinese community) believe it is also important to offer support to all those affected in the neighborhood,” she told the Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau (ANP). “It is really very heartwarming.”

President Zhang Tinghong interviewed by Dutch media

After the donation ceremony, the reporter interviewed President Naomi exclusively about her experience with the Chinese community.Before the explosion, she had no contact with the Chinese community “except for going to Chinese restaurants.”After the incident, she saw Chinese faces among the relief workers. “They provided great help, offering tea and traditional Chinese medicine. The Chinese people are truly very kind.”As she spoke emotionally, tears welled up in her eyes. When she heard that the Chinese community wanted to make a donation, her first reaction was “a huge surprise. The Chinese are extremely caring; it’s really wonderful.”Moreover, “it is a very large amount.” When asked why so many Dutch media outlets came to cover the event, she admitted that besides attention to the explosion aftermath, the Chinese community was also one of the factors.Through this incident, she has gained a deeper understanding of the Chinese community: warm‑hearted, caring, positive, helpful, full of positive energy, polite and respected.“The Chinese community has set an example for other communities,” Naomi said.In the end, she sincerely said “thank you” in Chinese from the bottom of her heart.

On December 7, an explosion occurred in the Tarwekamp district of The Hague, causing several apartment buildings to collapse.Six people were killed and many others affected.Among the victims was a Chinese family of three: a 45‑year‑old father, a 41‑year‑old mother and a 17‑year‑old daughter.An 8‑year‑old son was the only survivor in the family.He and his aunt also attended the donation ceremony.On January 24, Chairman Huang Qilin, together with several community leaders, visited the relatives of the Chinese victims and presented donations raised by the Chinese community in the Netherlands.