The devastating No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court on December 6, 2025, which tragically claimed over 100 lives and displaced more than a thousand families, has spurred a comprehensive, multi-phase government recovery response in Hong Kong. Central to this large-scale effort is the rollout of an extensive social welfare support system, including immediate financial aid disbursement and an open-ended “one social worker per household” scheme, designed to facilitate long-term community healing and re-establishment.
Expedited Aid and Dedicated Case Management
Initial efforts focused on stabilizing affected residents through rapid financial infusion. As of December 5, 1,930 of the 1,940 registered households had received the HK$10,000 emergency relief payment, according to Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak. The remaining affected families housed in temporary accommodations elsewhere are coordinating collection through local District Offices.
The cornerstone of the ongoing recovery effort, however, is the dedicated social worker program, which aims to provide consistent, personalized assistance. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun confirmed the scheme has successfully engaged approximately 1,900 households, with fewer than 10 still needing to register. Sun emphasized that the program has no defined expiration date, acknowledging the years-long recovery process. This dedicated support system helps residents navigate complex aid channels, mitigating the potential for fraud, and ensuring access to comprehensive resources.
Addressing Housing and Psychological Needs
Social workers participating in the scheme are currently prioritizing immediate and medium-term housing security. This critical step aims to promptly resettle families and stabilize living situations. Already, twenty to thirty vulnerable households, primarily those with elderly persons or individuals with disabilities, have been placed in temporary care home settings. The recovery action also extends to addressing profound loss; the Labour Department is actively collaborating with the Philippine and Indonesian consulates to manage the repatriation of remains for deceased domestic workers.
Beyond immediate needs, the government is processing various supplemental compensations. The enhanced living allowance, which provides up to HK$100,000 per family, has seen 923 cases processed to date. Furthermore, support for bereaved families is being channeled through condolence and funeral payments, with 73 cases managed thus far and funds released in stages. As families transition into long-term or temporary housing, further assistance for essential household items will be coordinated through the dedicated social workers. The government also pledged support for landlords impacted by the disruption of rental income from Wang Fuk Court properties.
Financial Mechanism and Public Clarity
Public and private contributions have created a robust financial underpinning for the recovery. Donations to the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court Relief Fund have reached an impressive HK$2.7 billion. Coupled with HK$300 million in government seed funding, the total pool dedicated to long-term recovery stands at approximately HK$3 billion.
To ensure affected residents can access help without bureaucratic hurdles, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) clarified that no specific registration card is required to utilize the “one social worker per household” service. Emergency Relief Chits issued during the immediate aftermath at temporary shelters were solely documented proof of receiving initial emergency services and are unrelated to the long-term support program. The SWD urges any affected residents who have not yet connected with the organization to contact them immediately by calling 182 183 to initiate their comprehensive support engagement.