HONG KONG — Government officials today reaffirmed a robust package of financial and social support for victims of the catastrophic Grade V fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, where the death toll has tragically climbed to 128, with 79 injured.
Housing concerns and compensation were at the forefront of remarks delivered by Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak following a visit to a temporary shelter in Tai Po on Sunday. Mak, alongside Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin and Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun, sought to reassure affected residents and counter rumors about associated costs.
Free Shelter and Significant Financial Relief Confirmed
Secretary Mak stressed unequivocally that all government assistance, including temporary accommodation and transport, would be provided free of charge, directly challenging what she termed “misinformation” that could deter vulnerable families from seeking essential services.
The immediate financial relief will be substantial. Beyond an initial HK$10,000 emergency cash handout, the government announced a HK$200,000 condolence payment for the family of each deceased victim. Starting next week, affected households will also receive a HK$50,000 living allowance. This stipend will be distributed after families register through the “One Social Worker, One Household” scheme.
To address the immediate trauma of loss, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will manage all funeral arrangements, including cremation services and niche allocation, at no cost to the families. This involves increasing cremation time slots and reserving public niches.
Total Aid Fund Reaches HK$800 Million
The government’s coordinated aid effort is bolstered by significant public contributions. As of late afternoon, the dedicated Tai Po Wang Fuk Court Assistance Fund has amassed HK$500 million in private donations, supplementing the government’s HK$300 million pledge, bringing the total resources available to HK$800 million.
Meanwhile, progress is being made on distributing immediate emergency funds. Mak noted that the HK$10,000 cash handout has already reached 78 households. Due to the logistical challenges of counting and pooling the large amount of cash, which requires banking assistance, officials expect the full distribution to be completed within the next two days.
Social and Educational Support Mobilized
The government is prioritizing psychological and social welfare support for the thousands of people impacted by the disaster.
Secretary Sun confirmed that social workers and psychologists are operating 24 hours a day at both the shelter and the mortuary facilities. The crucial “One Social Worker, One Household” initiative has registered 930 households, representing roughly half of all affected residents. Sun urged any remaining families to register immediately by calling the 24-hour hotline, 182183, emphasizing that mandatory registration aids in verifying identity and expediting welfare payments.
For students and educators reeling from the tragedy, Secretary Choi announced targeted support. Educational psychologists and development officers have been deployed to the temporary shelter. Furthermore, all schools in the Tai Po district will receive a special incident support grant of either HK$50,000 or HK$100,000 for flexible use in assisting students, parents, and teachers. The Education Bureau is also scheduled to host professional seminars on mental health and emotional processing in the coming days.
Mak reported that 720 individuals had used the temporary shelter as of Sunday evening, assuring the public that supplies remain sufficient. She asked citizens intending to donate goods to hold off for the moment. The District Office plans to launch an electronic platform soon to facilitate resource matching once victims transition into more permanent short-term housing.
Despite government efforts to move residents to dedicated short-term units, Mak acknowledged that some families are reluctant to leave the temporary shelter, seeking immediate updates on the fire investigation or grappling with the emotional shock. Officials confirmed that both the 182183 hotline and assigned social workers will continue to provide necessary updates and support as the community begins the challenging process of recovery.
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