Donations for survivors of the deadly Tai Po housing estate fire surged to HK$800 million (US$102 million) in less than a day, officials said Friday, as the government rolled out an expanded package of funeral assistance, cash aid and temporary housing for affected families.
The Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court, seeded with HK$300 million in public money, received an additional HK$500 million from individuals and organizations by late afternoon, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak said. The influx came as authorities confirmed the death toll from the blaze had climbed to at least 128.
Under the relief plan, the family of each person killed will receive HK$200,000 in condolence payments immediately. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department is assigning dedicated officers to guide bereaved families through cremation arrangements, provide extra public columbarium space and cover all related expenses.
Mak said emergency cash grants of HK$10,000 had already been issued to 78 households, with more than 1,200 additional families registered for assistance as of midday. A separate HK$50,000 living allowance per household will begin distribution next week through a one-family-one-social-worker system.
For short-term shelter, the government has secured 1,000 free rooms in hotels and youth hostels. Officials expect to make 1,800 transitional housing units available within two weeks for longer-term stays, also at no cost to residents.
In addition to financial assistance, Mak said the government is working with the information technology sector to build an online platform to coordinate future donations of goods. She urged the public to wait before contributing physical items so that authorities can better match supplies with families’ needs once they move into more permanent accommodation.
Welfare Secretary Chris Sun said each household will be paired with a dedicated social worker who will coordinate transitional housing and connect survivors with counseling and other welfare services.
“We expect that in the months and years ahead, each household will have different social welfare needs,” Sun said. “After some time, they will need to process their grief and will require substantial emotional support.”
Officials said further updates on housing, welfare and donation coordination will be released as recovery efforts continue.
