Hong Kong's grassroots community groups have mobilised to deliver aid to survivors of the Wang Fuk Court fire, which has killed at least 128 people, with hundreds still missing. Restaurants, churches and gyms in the Tai Po area have been turned into temporary shelters providing clothes, food and information.
The sudden volunteer mobilisation has drawn comparisons to support networks during the 2014 and 2019 pro-democracy protests. Michael Mo, a former district councillor now living in the UK, said: “Since the two movements in 2014 and 2019, citizen-led supplies mobilisation have become part of our muscle memory.”
A crowd-sourced web app has collated reports on each building, identifying apartments and residents. People can mark themselves safe or submit information about missing individuals. Another website features an interactive map showing supply stations in Tai Po and a platform for coordinating volunteer shifts.
Fundraising platforms include the government’s “Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po”, with a startup donation of HKD$300m (£29,172,600). On Telegram, channels have appeared for duties such as Tai Po drivers, helpers and fire support, listing needed supplies like folding tables, mattresses and cleaning supplies.
The Hong Kong Red Cross said blood banks have eight to ten days’ supplies and appealed for future donations. A group of Hong Kong lawyers posted a call-out for volunteers to support victims with tenancy, land law, employment and other legal issues, preparing FAQs in Chinese, English and other languages.
At least two Indonesian domestic workers died in the fire. Questions surround how the fire spread so quickly across seven tower blocks. Residents had complained for over a year about fire hazards from construction work, and authorities noted highly flammable Styrofoam in elevator window coverings. No fire alarms went off in any tower. Three people associated with contractor Prestige have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
