Living allowance hiked to aid Tai Po blaze victims

In response to the need for affected families to purchase necessities such as warmer clothing during the cold weather, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced on Thursday that the living allowance for each Tai Po fire-affected household had been increased from HK$50,000 ($6,420) to HK$100,000.

The blaze, which broke out at Wang Fuk Court on Nov 26, has so far claimed 159 lives — including one firefighter — left 31 people unaccounted for, and displaced nearly 2,000 households, currently housed in hotels, youth hostels, and transitional housing.

The allowance hike was announced by Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen following her inspection of Runway 1331, a youth hostel in Kai Tak providing temporary accommodations for some of the affected residents.

Speaking to media outlets, Mak said 674 households have registered for the enhanced allowance. The 326 households that have already received HK$50,000 under previous arrangements will be paid the remaining balance soon, she said.

The government-established support fund has now reached HK$2.8 billion, including an HK$300 million startup appropriation from the government. As of Wednesday, the main fund had processed more than 300 cases for the HK$50,000 living allowance. Another 52 cases were processed where families of each deceased received HK$200,000 in condolence money and another HK$50,000 to cover funeral costs.

Donation receipts for tax deduction are scheduled to be issued early next week. Donors are reminded to retain their bank-deposit records to facilitate the subsequent issuance of these receipts, Mak added.

Mak also strongly cautioned the public that the official relief fund has never set up a public donation QR code, warning that any such codes circulating online are scams.

Regarding the HK$10,000 emergency cash grants disbursed from the General Chinese Charities Fund, Mak said payments have been completed for all but one of the 1,930 registered households.

In addition, the government's online platform for supply donations has received more than 1,300 registrations, with 30 percent from various organizations and the rest from individual residents.

Mak said the platform has begun matching resources, with the first round already completed, to provide supplies to residents who have been rehoused.

Authorities have also been arranging further support measures. Free shuttle buses will operate between the Kai Tak youth hostel and Tai Po, and affected residents will receive waivers or deferrals for the 2024-25 tax year bills, as well as water and sewage charges from July to November and electricity and gas tariffs for November.

Regarding long-term housing, Mak assured residents that a task force led by Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun is studying permanent resettlement options.

"The units at Wang Fuk Court are significant assets for many residents. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has instructed the working group to carefully plan long-term arrangements. Residents can be assured of the government's sustained support," Mak said.

Police also said on Thursday that they had found more surviving animals — two cats, four turtles, one lizard, and more than 80 pet fish — during their search in the buildings.

stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com