HONG KONG — The Hong Kong government launched a substantial emergency relief effort Wednesday, pledging immediate financial support and comprehensive social services for victims and families affected by the catastrophic Category Five fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court, which has so far claimed 128 lives and injured 79 others. Several top government officials, including Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak, visited a temporary shelter in Tai Po to meet with displace residents before outlining the administration’s response package, stressing that all government-provided assistance, including temporary housing and transportation, would be offered free of charge.
The scale of the tragedy, marked by one of the deadliest residential fires in recent memory, has prompted a massive mobilization of both public and private resources. As of Wednesday afternoon, the government-established Wang Fuk Court Relief Fund had swelled to HK$800 million (approximately US$102 million), with HK$500 million in private donations supplementing an initial HK$300 million injection from the special administrative region government.
Immediate Financial and Social Support Detailed
Secretary Mak confirmed several immediate and mid-term financial measures designed to alleviate the pressure on affected families. In addition to a previously announced HK$10,000 emergency cash payment—which officials assured would be dispersed within days despite logistical challenges in counting and preparing the funds—each bereaved family will receive a HK$200,000 bereavement grant. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will directly facilitate all funeral and burial arrangements for the deceased.
Starting next week, every affected household will also receive a monthly living allowance of HK$50,000, distributed through a centralized scheme known as “One Social Worker, One Household.”
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun reported that rapid deployment of social services is underway. Over 930 households have already registered for the specialized social work mentorship program, representing roughly half of the total affected population.
“Social workers and psychologists are stationed 24 hours a day at the shelter facilities and liaison points, including the temporary morgue facilities,” Sun said, urging any remaining unregistered families to contact the 24-hour hotline, 182183, to be assigned a case worker immediately.
Educational and Mental Health Interventions
The wide-reaching impact of the disaster has extended across the community, necessitating specialized educational support. Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin confirmed ongoing communication with schools near Wang Fuk Court and announced special accident support grants of HK$50,000 or HK$100,000 for students residing in the Tai Po district.
To help the mental health fallout, the Education Bureau plans to host professional seminars in the coming days to equip teachers and parents with guidelines for addressing emotional trauma and stress among children and adolescents.
Logistical Challenges and Information Flow
Mak acknowledged the distress among families seeking information about the fire site and their homes. She emphasized that while some residents preferred to remain in temporary shelters or sought direct access to the scene, the government is prioritizing clear communication via the dedicated hotline and through the “One Social Worker, One Household” system to provide updates and address urgent needs.
The investigation into the cause and swift spread of the blaze continues to draw scrutiny, particularly concerning initial reports of a potentially dysfunctional fire alarm system. The swift, coordinated government and community response highlights the city’s immediate commitment to recovery, even as questions about building safety and emergency protocols linger.
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