(Hong Kong．22 December 2025) Nearly a month has passed since the Tai Po Fire. The Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) arrived at the scene two hours after the fire and has been working alongside the affected families and communities ever since. In response to the economic, psychological, medical, and life rebuilding needs of the affected families, the HKRC has provided comprehensive support, including emergency cash assistance, psychological support, first aid, mobile clinic, and basic necessities. The HKRC sincerely thanks the community for its generous support and trust; to date, the HKRC has received over HK$420 million in donations. Based on the disaster management framework of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the HKRC will provide short-, medium- and long-term support to affected families from Response, Recovery to Disaster Preparedness, fully supporting the community in rebuilding its life, and gradually strengthen the community's disaster resilience.

Ms Bonnie So, Chief Executive Officer / Secretary General of the HKRC said: “Our humanitarian relief work is grounded in needs assessment and emphasises community recovery. Immediately after the fire, we provided affected families with emergency relief supplies, first aid, and psychological support services. We then launched a comprehensive Emergency and Recovery Red Cash Scheme and, through the International Red Cross network, offered cross-border support for foreign domestic helpers. This fire has had a significant impact on residents and the entire community. As recovery takes time, we will initiate a three to five-year community recovery programme. Leveraging resources and fostering partnerships, we will walk alongside the affected families and communities to rebuild lives and hope."

Diversified cash assistance programs — 
comprehensive support for short-, medium-, and long-term needs
The HKRC activated the “Emergency & Recovery Red Cash” Scheme immediately on the day after the fire, and subsequently rolled out various forms of cash assistance benefiting the affected residents of the Wang Fuk Court and foreign domestic helpers, and the families of foreign domestic helpers who tragically passed away. We adhere to the international standards and principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to ensure that the cash assistance program accurately addresses the needs of the community, is implemented fairly and reasonably, and is as convenient as possible for beneficiaries. Through internal monitoring and audit processes, professional staff conduct random checks at any time to ensure complete records and compliance with procedures, thereby mitigating risks.
 

Cash assistance support: approximately HK$240 million

*Red Cash Card Enables Flexible and Convenient Cash Assistance
In partnership with Octopus Cards Limited (Octopus), the Hong Kong Red Cross has introduced the "Red Cash Card," a designated Octopus card distributed to affected families and foreign domestic helpers. By leveraging Octopus’ convenience, security, and extensive usage network, beneficiaries can readily meet their daily needs. The Hong Kong Red Cross would like to express its special thanks to Octopus for fully sponsoring and producing the Red Cash Cards, joining hands to support community recovery.

The Hong Kong Red Cross will continue to work with Octopus to develop this model into a long-term "Smart Disaster Relief Solution." This solution can be applied to wide range of future emergencies and disasters, enabling the quick, flexible distribution of relief funds, together with comprehensive transaction records, so as to and deliver humanitarian support to those in need.

Mr Tim Ying, Chief Executive Officer of Octopus Cards Limited, stated: "Firmly rooted in Hong Kong, Octopus has grown alongside the city. As a homegrown e-payment system, we are privileged to be able to work with the Hong Kong Red Cross on this "Smart Disaster Relief Solution", harnessing Octopus' convenient, secure and widely accepted network to support families and foreign domestic helpers affected by the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire. More importantly, Octopus and the Hong Kong Red Cross are working together in the digitalization of its emergency relief work, making arrangements more flexible, frontline operations more efficient, and resource utilisation more closely monitored, so that donations can be directed to those most in need and we do our utmost to support those affected as we weather the storm together."

Setting Up Mobile Clinic to Meet Post-Disaster Needs
The HKRC places high priority on the physical and mental well-being of the affected residents and foreign domestic helpers. Following the fire, mobile clinic was set up to provide consultations or health advice to affected individuals and foreign domestic helpers with injuries, discomfort, or needing basic health checks. Staffed by registered doctors and/or nurses, with physiotherapist support arranged as needed, the clinic has served approximately 150 individuals to date. We will continue to adjust service arrangements flexibly in response to the actual needs of the community, supporting special medical needs in the post-disaster period.

From Emergency to Recovery: Psychological Support Is Essential
The HKRC’s psychological support team was established as early as 2006 and is currently led by clinical psychologists. At the end of November, they launched the "General Public Support Hotline" and the "Fire Services Department Exclusive Hotline" (Hotline: 852-5164 5040), providing 24 hours a day uninterrupted service until 24 January 2026. The service targets Tai Po residents affected by the fire, rescue teams, and the public in need. Over the past three weeks, the team has visited fire stations and ambulance stations across Hong Kong to provide direct support to frontline rescue personnel. For families who have tragically lost loved ones, the team offers on-site support throughout the challenging process of handling funeral arrangements. Additionally, our clinical psychologists, trained psychological support personnel, and volunteers reach out to affected families through various activities and channels, offering face-to-face support and arranging individual counseling services for those in need. As of 21 December, diversified psychological support services have been provided to over 2,500 person-times. 

Psychological recovery is a crucial part of rebuilding lives. Referring to reports related to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in the UK, we can estimate that the psychological impact on individuals directly affected by the fire and residents in nearby areas will be an ongoing need for years to come#. Over the past two weeks, HKRC has reached out to 151 affected individuals to understand their needs in terms of economics, psychology, and rebuilding their lives. Among them, over 60% have reported varying degrees of mental health issues within their families. We will enhance psychological support services, mobilize community resources, and encourage community support through various activities, including tea gatherings.

Supporting Long-Term Community Recovery: Establishing Community Service Centers
To continue addressing the various needs of affected families, promoting community psychological recovery, strengthening support networks, and enhancing the long-term disaster response capabilities and resilience of the community, HKRC will allocate HK$160 million to long-term community recovery projects. The HKRC will actively communicate with affected residents and community partners, conduct needs assessments, and develop long-term plans. Of this amount, HK$70 million will be used to establish community service points to provide comprehensive services including first aid, mental health and psychological support, disaster preparedness, community health and chronic disease management, as well as services for vulnerable communities and social inclusion. This initiative not only addresses immediate needs but also focuses on the long-term resilience development of the community. Through sustained services and community engagement, we aim to build a close-knit, mutually supportive network based on mutual assistance.
 

Professional and rigorous, with Transparent Information
The HKRC sincerely appreciates the trust and donations from all sectors of community, and will utilize the funds and provide services with a professional and rigorous attitude. All administrative expenses incurred as a result of the execution of this fire incident, such as audit and banking fees, logistics, electronic communications, printing materials, etc., will be reimbursed based on actual costs, and will not exceed 5% of the donation amount. The HKRC will regularly update donors and the public on the progress of its work and will submit an independent financial audit report upon project completion.

The HKRC will continue to stand firm, moving forward shoulder to shoulder with the affected residents, safeguarding the community together.

Together on the Road to Recovery

# Source of information
“Grenfell Tower Fire”, Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), 2018, 
Public Health Department of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
 

The HKRC partnered with Octopus Cards Limited to launch the prepaid, designated Octopus card “Red Cash Card”, marking an important integration of humanitarian action and local technological innovation. (From left) Mr Sam Wong, Head of Operations and Service, Octopus Cards Limited; Ms Phoebe Tang, General Manager of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Octopus Cards Limited;  Mr Tim Ying, Chief Executive Officer of Octopus Holdings Limited; Ms Bonnie So, Chief Executive Officer / Secretary General of HKRC; Ms Alice Ling, Director of HKRC; Dr Joyce Ching, Head of International and Relief Services, HKRC; and Mr Terry Wong, Manager (Local Disaster Relief) of HKRC.

A brand-new “Red Cash Card”, a designated Octopus card that enables beneficiaries to conveniently meet their daily needs

Registering and distributing Emergency and Recovery Cash Assistance to Affected Families

Setting up mobile clinic to provide consultations and health checks for Injured, Unwell, or Affected Individuals and foreign domestic helpers

Mobile clinic is staffed by registered doctors and/or nurses, with physiotherapists arranged as needed, to provide services for those in need.

The HKRC Community Resilience Service organizes community activities to better understand residents’ needs.

Providing 24/7 psychological support hotline service

Special services for foreign domestic helpers, including mobile clinic and psychological support.

Humanitarian Response to Tai Po Fire
https://www.redcross.org.hk/en/Activity/TPFEA.html 

Past Press Releases
https://www.redcross.org.hk/en/Activity/Emergency_Appeal/PressRelease.html

About the Hong Kong Red Cross
Established in 1950, the Hong Kong Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the world’s humanitarian network serving over 190 countries. We dedicate ourselves to reducing vulnerability and strengthening community resilience while focusing on current urban risks. With services in four main areas, namely, “Emergency Relief and Disaster Preparedness”, “Community Health Service and Education”, “Humanitarian Engagement and Education”, and “Special Education and Rehabilitation”, we wish to build safer, healthier and more cohesive communities to cope with emergencies and crises. Please visit www.redcross.org.hk for details. 

Media Enquiry
Phoebe Yip, Head of Communications (+852 2507 7784 / phoebe.yip@redcross.org.hk)