HONG KONG, April 10 — Hong Kong officials today announced a significant increase in the relief fund established following the devastating fifth-alarm fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court, confirming the fund has swelled to HK$3.4 billion, largely through robust public donation. To immediately assist affected residents, the government approved a HK$100,000 special grant for every unit owner in the complex. Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki and Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen unveiled the details of the expanded Wang Fuk Court Assistance Fund during a press briefing, emphasizing financial transparency and sustained support for the victims.
The assistance fund, initiated following the severe blaze that resulted in significant casualties, has grown substantially, primarily fueled by public goodwill. Chan noted that external donations have reached approximately HK$3.1 billion, supplementing the HK$300 million seed money provided by the government.
New Grant Targets Property Owners
Amid concerns over financial strain on property holders, the Fund’s steering committee formally approved a targeted subsidy in its meeting today. Each property owner at Wang Fuk Court will receive a one-time payment of HK$100,000. Chan explained that this allocation seeks to offset losses faced by owners—many of whom lost rental income or spent considerable capital on previous renovations—and are now grappling with cash flow issues. In cases where a single unit has multiple registered owners, the subsidy will be distributed on a proportional basis.
The injection of funds comes as the government continues to assess the long-term needs of the community. Previously, the administration provided HK$200,000 in consolation money to the families of each deceased victim and a HK$100,000 living allowance for every affected household. Asked whether these amounts would be increased, Chan stressed that relief efforts are an ongoing, proactive process, and officials would continue to assess emerging needs to tailor future support.
Oversight and Public Generosity
Assurance regarding the responsible deployment of the funds was a key focus of the announcement. Chan committed that the fund’s accounts would be audited by the Audit Commission and reports submitted to the Legislative Council, ensuring strict transparency in its massive operation.
The sheer scale of the public response underscores the community’s solidarity. The assistance fund has processed over 263,000 separate donations to date. While the majority—around 257,000 transactions—were under HK$10,000, 170 large-scale donations exceeding HK$5 million contributed HK$1.7 billion to the total.
Tax Relief Streamlined for Donors
To further facilitate giving and acknowledge public generosity, Chan announced simplified tax incentives for smaller contributions. The Inland Revenue Department will fast-track tax deductions for donations of HK$50,000 or less made via bank transfer. Donors only need to retain their transaction records for verification to claim the tax relief. Specific details on issuing receipts for all donations will be announced next week.
Secretary Mak highlighted the unprecedented level of coordination required to manage the disaster response, noting that the government had moved beyond customary protocols to ensure a swifter and more flexible relief effort, particularly given the quarter of a million donation transactions. Beyond managing the aftermath, Mak underscored the critical need for enhanced preventative measures to mitigate future catastrophes.
The government’s rapid mobilization of resources and the dramatic influx of public donations signal a comprehensive effort to aid survivors and stabilize the community following the catastrophic incident, ensuring sustained recovery efforts for the residents of Wang Fuk Court.
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