One week after a catastrophic fire ravaged the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, a massive coordinated relief operation continues to provide comprehensive support to affected residents. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has mobilized unprecedented resources alongside community organizations and cross-border partners to address both immediate needs and long-term recovery.
The educational disruption caused by the blaze has been met with strategic solutions, including the allocation of HK$5 million (approximately $640,000) to support damaged schools. Students from the fire-impacted Tai Po Baptist Public School will be relocated to two neighboring educational institutions beginning mid-December, with classroom assignments organized by grade level to ensure continuity of learning.
Financial assistance has been systematically distributed through the specially established Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court, which has accumulated approximately HK$2.3 billion in contributions. This includes HK$2 billion from public donations supplemented by HK$300 million in initial government funding. As of Tuesday noon, the fund had processed 21 claims for condolence payments of HK$200,000 plus HK$50,000 funeral subsidies per victim, along with 104 claims for HK$50,000 living allowances per affected household.
Immediate emergency grants of HK$10,000 have reached 1,916 of the more than 1,930 registered households since November 27. Social workers have established contact with over 1,500 families to arrange personalized support services, while temporary accommodations have been provided for more than 2,600 displaced residents across various facilities including youth hostels, hotels, transitional housing units, and Housing Society apartments.
The comprehensive response extends to healthcare, with the Health Bureau covering all medical, pharmaceutical, and rehabilitation expenses for fire victims. Residents of the eight affected buildings, including foreign domestic helpers, will receive complete public medical fee waivers until December 31, 2026. Educational support includes HK$20,000 in special assistance per student for school supplies and transportation costs.
Cross-border collaboration has strengthened the relief efforts, with the central government coordinating support through the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. Guangdong Province has contributed advanced emergency equipment including drones, exoskeleton suits, and specialized fire boots. Major corporations, charitable organizations, and community groups have further augmented the response through substantial financial donations, practical assistance such as communication fee waivers, and free logistics services for organizations operating in the disaster zone.
Ms. Cheung, an elderly resident who lost her home of 40 years, noted that while her temporary housing unit is smaller, it is “well-equipped with furniture and appliances” and expressed gratitude for the community’s overwhelming kindness. The collective effort exemplifies what local district council member Lee Sai Yin described as Hong Kong’s characteristic unity and compassion during times of crisis.
