Aid continues pouring in one week after Hong Kong's Tai Po fire

HONG KONG -- A week after a devastating fire tore through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and communities citywide are rallying to support survivors, with relief efforts ranging from school relocations to emergency funding and cross-border aid.

The HKSAR government announced it has secured HK$5 million (about $640,000) to support schools affected by the blaze. Tai Po Baptist Public School, whose campus remains closed due to fire damage, will have its students transferred to two nearby schools starting mid-December, with classrooms allocated by grade.

The Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, established to coordinate assistance, has amassed approximately HK$2.3 billion, including HK$2 billion in public donations and HK$300 million in HKSAR government seed money.

As of noon on Tuesday, the fund had processed 21 claims for HK$200,000 in condolence payments and HK$50,000 in funeral subsidies per victim, and 104 claims for HK$50,000 in living allowances per affected household, with payments being disbursed.

To address immediate needs, the HKSAR government has distributed HK$10,000?in emergency grants to 1,916 of over 1,930 registered households since Nov 27. Social workers have contacted more than 1,500 households to arrange personalized follow-up services, and over 2,600 residents have been placed in temporary accommodations, including youth hostels, hotels, transitional housing and Housing Society flats. Two temporary shelters remain operational, one still accepting new residents.

Ms Cheung, an elderly resident whose 40-year home in Wang Fuk Court was destroyed, said that her new temporary housing unit, though smaller in size, is "well-equipped with furniture and appliances." "The community has been incredibly kind," she said.

A 24-hour hotline for transitional housing applications remains active.

Targeted support has extended to healthcare and education. The Health Bureau is covering all medical, medication and rehabilitation costs for fire victims. Residents of the eight affected buildings in the complex, including foreign domestic helpers, will receive full public medical fee waivers until Dec 31, 2026. The Education Bureau is providing HK$20,000 in special aid to each student from Wang Fuk Court for school supplies or transportation.

Lee Sai Yin, a member of the Tai Po district council who has been coordinating supplies and comforting residents since the fire, said that an invisible force in Hong Kong, unity and love, brings people together whenever difficulties arise.

Cross-border aid has poured in, with the central government coordinating support. A working group deployed by the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee left for Hong Kong in the early hours of Nov 27, and Guangdong Province has delivered emergency equipment, including drones, exoskeleton suits and fire boots.

Major enterprises have stepped up with generous financial donations to support the fire relief efforts, and charities and businesses like the food delivery platform Keeta have also joined the effort by providing hot meals for those affected and frontline workers.

Beyond monetary contributions, practical assistance has been offered as well, such as waiving communication fees and offering free logistics services for charitable organizations supporting the disaster zone. Patriotic community groups have also played an active role in the relief work, donating huge sums of money and supplies.

"From the central government to ordinary citizens, the immediate response reflects our deep bond," said Judith Yu, chair of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China, noting the business community's commitment to long-term recovery efforts.