Government Task Forces Mobilize $3.8 Billion Fund for Wang Fuk Court Fire Relief and Support Efforts

Government announces updates on follow-up work on Tai Po fire

​The three task forces set up by the Government for the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po - the Task Force on Investigation and Regulation, the Task Force on Emergency Support and Fund-Raising, and the Task Force on Emergency Accommodation Arrangements - are making full efforts to follow up on the support, relief, and investigation work related to the incident. Details are as follows:

Financial and welfare support

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For the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, established by the Government, donations received are about $3.5 billion as of noon today (December 18). With the start-up capital of $300 million from the Government, the fund's total has now reached around $3.8 billion. The fund will be used to assist residents in rebuilding their homes and providing long-term and sustained support.

The Government announced today that two new measuresare launched under the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to render assistance to residents affected by the fire. They are to provide affected flat owners with an annual rental grant of $150,000 (to be provided for two years) and a one-off relocation grant of $50,000; as well as to provide affected tenants with a one-off relocation grant of $50,000.

The Government earlier announced that a living allowance from the Support Fund will be provided to each affected household, and the amount has been increased from $50,000 to $100,000. As of today, 1 926 cases have been processed. In addition, the Government will provide families of each deceased victim with a token of solidarity of $200,000, as well as $50,000 to cover funeral costs. As of today, a total of 143 cases have been processed. The allowance will be disbursed in phases.

Social workers from the Social Welfare Department (SWD) have been in contact with more than 1 980 affected households, providing the "one social worker per household" follow-up service to more than 4 900 residents. The SWD will maintain liaison with the affected households to provide all necessary assistance while fully supporting the relief work of the Government.

Accommodation support

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Currently, there is still an abundant supply of more than 1000 units that can provide affected residents with longer term accommodation. The transitional housing and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) projects in different districts can altogether provide around 400 units at the moment. Besides, Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun and Runway 1331 at Kai Tak can provide a supply of around 900 units.

As of this morning, a total of 620 residents are staying in hotel rooms through the co-ordination of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, and 552 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3 457 residents are currently living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau, units from the HKHS, or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.

In addition, to provide residents in need with more choices, Housing Bureau swiftly made ready the units at Po Tin Interim Housing, which has elevators, for occupancy. During the process, corporate volunteer teams arrived on-site to assist with the flooring installation, making the units habitable within a short period of time. Colleagues from various divisions of Housing Bureau and the Housing Department also dedicated their efforts, actively liaising with various donor organisations to furnish the units with essential daily supplies.

Relief supplies and donations

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The supplies donation online platform, established by the Government and the information technology sector, continues to operate, facilitating the registration of supplies donations from organisations and the public. The Government has so far received over 1 900 registrations, of which approximately 30 per cent were submitted by organisations, whereas the others were contributed by the public. The various registered donation items include food and beverages, clothing, daily necessities, bedding, and electrical appliances. The Government is actively assessing residents' actual needs through the relevant policy bureau, government departments, and service organisations for the matching of donated supplies in order to distribute appropriate items in phases to places in need. So far, over 28 000 donation items covering various categories have been distributed to different places. The matching and distribution of supplies will continue.

Investigation and regulation

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Relevant policy bureaux and departments continue to follow up on the fire investigation and regulatory efforts.

Source: AI-found images

Applications invited for 56th Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks exercise

The Transport Department (TD) today (December 19) announced that the 56th Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks (PVRMs) Scheme will be open for applications from January 1 to 31, 2026.

Starting from January 1, 2026, applications will be invited for the allocation of PVRMs upon sale by auction. Completed application forms should reach the TD no later than January 31, 2026. If there are more than 1 500 applications, those to be considered will be selected by lot.

The application form (TD 569) and the Guidance Notes for Application can be downloaded from the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_application/index.html) or obtained from the TD's Licensing Offices as well as the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department.

Interested persons should complete and submit the application form through one of the following ways:

(a) By post to the Vehicle Registration Marks Unit, Transport Department, 12/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon. Applications received by post will be dated by the postmark;

(b) Via the drop-in box at any of the TD's Licensing Offices at Admiralty, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin. For easy identification, please mark "PVRM Application" on the envelope of the application; or

(c) Through the online application service on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/vehicle/ospvrm.htm) if the applicant possesses an "iAM Smart+" account with the digital signing function (for Hong Kong residents only) or a digital certificate.

Applicants are advised to read carefully the Guidance Notes for details of the scheme before completing the application form. They can also check whether a proposed PVRM is in compliance with the basic combination requirements by using the online service on the GovHK website.

No payment of deposit is required when submitting an application. Each applicant can submit only one application in each exercise. If an applicant submits more than one application, all of his or her applications will not be processed. Once submitted, the applicant cannot withdraw the application or change the arrangement of the PVRM stated in the application form.

Upon successful submission of an online application, the applicant will receive an acknowledgement immediately. Those who submit applications by post or drop-in box will receive the TD's acknowledgement by ordinary post within two weeks after submission. Applicants who do not receive the acknowledgement within this time frame should call 2804 2600.

Source: AI-found images