As of noon today, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.3 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, this takes the fund to a total of around $3.6 billion.

The fund will provide a living allowance to each affected household. As of today, 1,838 cases had been processed.

The fund will also provide the families of each deceased victim with a $200,000 token of solidarity, as well as $50,000 to cover funeral costs. As of today, a total of 128 cases had been processed.

Welfare arrangements

As of this morning, 1,451 residents had been accommodated under the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau in youth hostels, camps or hotel rooms. Another 3,059 residents have moved into transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau or the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS).

With the generous community support and donations, all the units currently available in transitional housing and HKHS projects are equipped with furniture and appliances such as bed frames, mattresses, induction cookers and water heaters, enabling the residents to settle in comfortably.

Furthermore, a number of organisations have stationed their staff in some projects to provide residents in need with various forms of support, including free medical and legal consultation services.

Separately, a task force under the Advisory Committee on Mental Health held the second meeting today to discuss multiple measures to provide mental health support to families and members of the public affected by the Wang Fuk Court fire. 

Relief supplies

On the Government’s online platform for donated supplies, about 1,800 registrations have been received, with approximately 30% submitted by organisations. Over 19,600 donated items, covering various categories, have been distributed.

Regulation work 

Upon liaison with Police, the Housing Department started to remove burnt scaffolding on the external walls of Wang Cheong House, Wang Tai House and Wang Sun House today.

Meanwhile, the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit has completed strengthening works such as concrete grouting and erecting temporary props, in a small number of units that may be subject to more serious damage

On the new mechanism for sampling and testing scaffold nets for external walls in the city, the Buildings Department is preparing a new practice note to issue to registered contractors, and will meet the industry next week.

As of 4pm today, the Labour Department had inspected 467 construction sites, issued a total of 249 written warnings and 112 improvement notices, and taken out 25 prosecutions.