Two new financial assistance measures using a donation from the Beijing Han Hong Love Charity Foundation have been launched to support residents affected by the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced on Wednesday.
The donation will fund two one-time initiatives: a HK$100,000 ($12,799) payment to the families of each of the 168 fire victims, and a Chinese New Year goodwill token of HK$5,000 for every flat owner or their families across all eight blocks of residential estate.
The total estimated expenditure for the two aid packages is approximately HK$26.6 million — fully borne by the charity. Distribution began on Wednesday through the “one social worker per household” mechanism.
The charity, initiated in 2012 by renowned Chinese mainland female singer Han Hong, provides medical assistance to rural areas and responds to major natural disasters and public health emergencies.
Also on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing and Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen visited an elderly couple who are now temporarily housed in Aberdeen’s Yue Ying Lau — a public rental housing estate operated by the Hong Kong Housing Society.
In a subsequent social media post, he revealed that the total amount in the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has now reached HK$4.6 billion.
“To date, 11 assistance measures have been rolled out under the fund, with a total financial commitment of about HK$1.2 billion,” Cheuk said. He reiterated the government's commitment to “walk in solidarity with the affected residents, working hard to help them emerge from the shadow of the fire and return to normal life as soon as possible”.
Speaking about the couple, who have been adapting to their new environment for over a month, Cheuk noted their ongoing concern about long-term housing arrangements. He emphasized that the government attaches great importance to this issue.
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“The Task Force on Emergency Accommodation Arrangements is working intensively to process cases,” he said. The goal is to provide owners with as many different housing options as possible, balancing compassion, reason, and legal considerations, and making the utmost effort to help the affected families rebuild their homes at the earliest opportunity, Cheuk said.
