Tanweer Aqsa speaks to Shenzhen Daily reporters September 2 in Futian, Shenzhen. Liu Xudong

In the cold, hungry, and drenched state, with a broken umbrella, Tanweer Aqsa, a Pakistani girl, and her family members were at a loss regarding what to do and where to go when they learned that public transport in the city, including the high-speed train to Hong Kong, had been suspended and checkpoints closed due to Typhoon Saola on September 1 afternoon.

In the final resolution, the family of four, including Tanweer and her brother and two sisters, sought help from the police station in Meilin Subdistrict, Futian District, and were taken good care of by the Meidu Community Service Center for the night when Typhoon Saola affected the city.

“Thanks to Shenzhen police officers and staffers with the Meidu Community Service Center who offered us food and juices and arranged the hotel for us to spend the night in Shenzhen,” Tanweer said.

“Everything was in a rush in the afternoon. The police officers took us to the community center and the community staff members took us to a hotel nearby and arranged everything for us,” she said.

Chen Binhui, deputy Party secretary of the Meidu Community, recalled when the four came for help Friday night.

“The family from Hong Kong had planned to visit the Shenzhen Mosque in Meilin, but the place was closed due to the typhoon. We reported the situation to the Meilin Subdistrict Office, and sought help from a hotel owner in our community, whose daughter could serve as an interpreter. The hotel offered free accommodation for them,” said Chen.

“We spent a comfortable, relaxing night. We video-called our parents over and over again to tell them we were safe here in Shenzhen, and they were also relaxed,” said Tanweer. “I would say thank you to all people who helped us.”

The family left for Hong Kong on September 2.

During the typhoon period, the community opened the service center as a shelter and a 24-hour hotline for people in need. The community relocated 581 people to safety.