HONG KONG, April 4 – Hong Kong authorities today dramatically increased financial aid for victims of the devastating five-alarm fire that ripped through the Ching Fuk Court public housing estate in Tai Po, as the death toll climbed to 159, underscoring the tragedy’s profound scale.
The massive blaze resulted in the deaths of 158 residents and one firefighter who died in the line of duty. An additional 31 individuals remain unaccounted for. In response to the crisis, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen visited the “Kai Hong 1331” youth hostel in Kai Tak today, outlining accelerated relief measures and announcing a crucial doubling of immediate financial support for displaced families.
Enhanced Support for Displaced Residents
Ms. Mak announced that the government would raise the per-household living allowance from HK$50,000 to HK$100,000, recognizing the onset of colder weather and the profound displacement faced by nearly 3,000 residents.
“We recognize the hardship faced by these families,” Secretary Mak said, detailing how social workers from the Social Welfare Department (SWD) have adopted a “one social worker per household” approach to address individual needs swiftly. She confirmed that 300 households had already received the initial HK$50,000 disbursement, with the remaining balance to follow immediately.
The nearly 3,000 displaced residents are currently housed across various temporary accommodations, including hotels, youth hostels, transitional housing units, and properties managed by the Hong Kong Housing Society. To assist the victims residing at the Kai Tak hostel, the government is arranging a dedicated shuttle bus service to provide essential transport access to and from the Tai Po area, supplemented by on-site social work services.
Billion-Dollar Relief Effort Mobilized
The government-established Tai Po Ching Fuk Court Relief Fund has amassed a staggering HK$2.8 billion so far. This includes HK$2.5 billion raised through public donations and a HK$300 million seed fund provided by the government.
The fund is already distributing specific aid:
- Emergency Payments: HK$10,000 has been disbursed to 1,929 households.
- Injury Subsidies: Those hospitalized for less than seven days are receiving HK$50,000, while those hospitalized for seven days or more are receiving HK$100,000.
- Bereavement Support: Families of the deceased are receiving a HK$200,000 consolation payment and a HK$50,000 funeral grant. Sixty-seven cases have been processed to date.
- Educational and Employment Grants: Residents who are full-time students (primary, secondary, or tertiary) are eligible for a HK$20,000 subsidy, as are workers, security guards, and domestic helpers employed within the Ching Fuk Court premises.
Furthermore, residents affected by the fire will receive significant tax exemptions, with the government waiving their tax obligations, water bills, sewage charges, and electricity bills for the 2024/2025 assessment year.
Long-Term Housing and Safety Concerns
Addressing the complex issue of permanent rehousing, Ms. Mak reassured residents that the government is committed to a sustained support presence. She confirmed that the Chief Executive has instructed a high-level working group, led by the Deputy Financial Secretary, to research and implement long-term residency solutions.
Ms. Mak also issued a stark warning against fraudulent activities, emphasizing that the official Relief Fund has never utilized QR codes for solicitation. Any attempt to solicit donations via QR code should be treated as a scam, she warned.
The Secretary briefly grew emotional when recounting the resilience and generosity shown by the affected community. She noted that when social workers asked residents about their immediate needs, many responded by urging staff to prioritize others, reflecting a spirit of mutual care prevalent among Hong Kong citizens.
As of yesterday morning, 1,152 residents had been moved to government-coordinated youth hostels or hotel rooms, with another 1,765 individuals placed in transitional housing or Housing Society units. While an emergency shelter at the Tai Po Community Centre remains open, a second temporary center at Tung Cheong Street Community Hall will continue operations until all occupants are moved to designated emergency accommodations.
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