HONG KONG — Senior government officials in Hong Kong have launched a substantial financial assistance package exceeding HK$3.4 billion, comprising both public contributions and a government injection, to support residents impacted by the recent incident at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. The announcement, made during a media briefing at 3:30 p.m. on December 10, 2025, detailed the immediate disbursement of subsidies for property owners and highlighted the overwhelming public response to the crisis.
Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, alongside Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak, confirmed that the dedicated Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court had reached the considerable sum. The total pool is anchored by HK$3.1 billion in private donations sourced from the community and an initial commitment of HK$300 million provided by the government.
Fund Allocation and Community Support
To provide immediate financial relief, the government plans to allocate a direct subsidy of HK$100,000 to every affected flat owner in the residential complex. This measure aims to assist property holders with potential accommodation, repair, or other immediate needs stemming from the damage.
The sheer scale of community generosity was a central point of the briefing. Cheuk noted that the HK$3.1 billion in private funds was amassed through contributions from over 263,000 distinct donors. The contributions spanned a broad spectrum:
- Approximately 277,000 individual donations were under HK$10,000.
- Conversely, around 170 large donations, each exceeding HK$50,000, collectively accounted for HK$1.7 billion of the total donated amount.
To formalize these contributions, the government announced that it would begin issuing official donation receipts starting the following week. Donors who provided financial assistance will be eligible to claim tax relief based on their contributions, bolstering the incentive for charitable giving during the crisis.
Animal Welfare Concerns Remain
In a separate but critical development, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) addressed the pressing issue of stranded household pets within the affected estate. The organization expressed profound concern regarding the fate of 84 pets currently unaccounted for inside Wang Fuk Court.
The SPCA confirmed its active involvement, stating that it had delivered essential supplies, including water, cat food, and dog food, to the Police department overseeing the operation. Crucially, the SPCA received assurances from authorities that they would be immediately notified should any animals be located within the building, regardless of whether they are found alive or deceased. This ongoing coordination underscores the comprehensive approach being taken to address both human and animal welfare simultaneously.
The creation and rapid funding of the HK$3.4 billion relief effort signals a strong governmental and community commitment to the immediate and long-term recovery of Wang Fuk Court residents. Further updates are expected as the receipt issuance process begins and the government details the mechanism for subsidy distribution.