The Social Welfare Department said today it is making all-out efforts to allocate and deploy manpower and resources to provide appropriate support to Tai Po residents.

The department expressed deep sorrow and sadness over the No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po yesterday.

It has deployed social workers, clinical psychologists and professional support teams to all temporary shelters and interdepartmental help desks at hospitals to provide assistance based on the welfare needs of affected residents.

Public hospitals’ medical social workers are also providing emotional support to the injured and their relatives.

Residents in need are urged to seek assistance from social workers or professionals at the temporary shelters.

Due to the fire and its disruption to traffic in the district, multiple secondary schools and primary schools in Tai Po suspended classes today. The department has requested that all integrated children and youth services centres and youth centres in Tai Po remain open for the whole day to provide care services to parents who are unable to take care of their children.