Press Release

Yan Chai Hospital Launches HK$166 Million Relief Programme;
Partners with Octopus Cards Limited on Living Allowance Initiative and Second Round of Emergency Aid

(19 December, 2025, Hong Kong) Yan Chai Hospital today announced the allocation of more than HK$166 million from the Yan Chai Emergency Relief Fund (YEAR Fund) – Wang Fuk Emergency Disaster Relief Special Account to launch a comprehensive support programme for residents of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Developed in response to the severe challenges faced by the community, the initiative encompasses both immediate relief and long-term reconstruction measures.

With steadfast commitment and compassion, Yan Chai Hospital pledges to stand shoulder to shoulder with affected families, delivering sustained assistance in their daily living, facilitating emotional recovery, offering educational support, and aiding in their homes rebuilding. The Board of Directors further affirms that 100% of donations will be allocated exclusively to relief efforts, with no administrative fees deducted. This ensures that every contribution is transformed into tangible support and meaningful strength for the residents of Wang Fuk Court.

[Innovative Partnership with Octopus Cards to Provide Direct, Everyday Support for Wang Fuk Court Families]

To ensure that assistance is delivered more directly, conveniently, and sustainably into residents’ daily lives, Yan Chai Hospital has partnered with Octopus Cards Limited to launch the new “Yan Chai with Love · Together We Walk” limited-edition Octopus card, initiating the “Yan Chai Hospital Octopus Card – Wang Fuk Court Residents Living Allowance Programme.” This initiative symbolizes our solidarity with the community and our shared commitment to progressing together. The programme consolidates the compassion of society and provides the following specific support:

• Blocks 1 to 7 (Blocks A–G), approximately 1,700 households: Each household will receive a monthly living allowance of HK$2,000 for a duration of 12 months.
• Block 8 (Block H), approximately 250 households: Each household will receive a monthly living allowance of HK$1,000 for a duration of 6 months.
• Total funding: HK$42.3 million, with Octopus Cards Limited generously sponsoring all card production costs in full.

Yan Chai Hospital is currently planning the implementation details. Residents of Wang Fuk Court will collect their designated Octopus cards through the “One social worker per household" mechanism from 21 January 2026 at the earliest, and residents will not need to fill in application forms again. Cardholders must activate their cards either in person at any Octopus Service Points in 51 designated MTR stations across Hong Kong or via the mobile application. Once activated, the cards can be flexibly used for daily purchases and transportation expenses, providing convenient support for everyday living.

Mr. Gary Chu, Chairman of the Yan Chai Hospital Board, expressed, “We sincerely appreciate the long-standing support, trust, and generous donations from all sectors of society. In response to the plight faced by residents of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Yan Chai Hospital swiftly mobilized various emergency support measures and adopted innovative, flexible approaches to provide the most practical and feasible assistance to residents. Our collaboration with Octopus to launch a dedicated Octopus card, through which living allowances will be disbursed via a top-up platform, aims to deliver this support in the most convenient and direct manner to residents. We pledge that all charitable funds will be utilized in their entirety in an open and transparent manner, offering long-term and comprehensive assistance to residents as we walk together on the path to recovery.”

Octopus CEO Tim Ying said, “This collaboration marks the first time the Octopus top-up value platform has been used for disaster relief. We are truly grateful to stand alongside Yan Chai Hospital during this challenging time. Through Octopus’s extensive network and secure, reliable system, we can deliver aid in the fastest and most direct way to affected families, bringing care and strength to the residents of Wang Fuk Court as we walk together on the road to recovery and rebuilding.”

[Together in Recovery: HK$93.8 Million in Emergency Aid to Help Residents Rebuild Their Lives ]

Yan Chai Hospital continues to diligently address the practical needs of residents affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court and has announced a new round of emergency aid totalling HK$45 million. The disbursement will begin on 29 December, 2025, and will be made progressively via bank transfer, thereby further supporting families in rebuilding their lives. Under this arrangement, approximately 1,700 households in Blocks 1–7 (Block A–G) will each receive an additional HK$25,000, bringing cumulative assistance to HK$50,000 per household, which inclusive of the HK$25,000 previously distributed; while approximately 250 households in Block 8 (Block H) will each receive an additional HK$10,000, raising cumulative support to HK$20,000 per household. All eligible applicants must have been residing in the relevant units on the day of the fire, ensuring that relief is directed exclusively to those genuinely affected.

First Round of Emergency Aid (HK$48.8 Million)

The initial phase of emergency relief has been arranged for disbursement, including:

• HK$3.8 million in condolence payments to the families of the deceased, including the heroic firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty, residents of Wang Fuk Court, domestic helpers, visitors, and construction workers
• HK$34 million in emergency aid payments to approximately 1,700 affected households
• HK$2.5 million in temporary resettlement assistance will be provided for approximately 250 households unable to return home
• HK$8.5 million in home replacement allowances to assist approximately 1,700 households in purchasing essential household items.

[ Together in Recovery, Long-Term Care: Comprehensive Support Programme Launched ]

Moving beyond the emergency phase, Yan Chai Hospital will continue to accompany residents by introducing a series of targeted long-term support measures:

• Emotional Well‑Being and Mental Health Care: In collaboration with the psychology team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Department of Applied Social Sciences and senior clinical psychologists, professional emotional support will be provided. Yan Chai Rest Station (仁濟幸福站) has been established at Kwong Fuk Estate (Shops 73–76, G/F, Kwong Fuk Estate Market, Tai Po), and Yan Chai Wellness Hub (仁濟心語軒) will soon be open at Fu Shin Estate (Shop F113, 1/F, Fu Shin Shopping Centre, Tai Po). These centres will offer counseling hotlines and in-person services, supported by a HK$15 million budget to safeguard the mental health of affected residents.
• Comprehensive Healthcare and Educational Support: Free Chinese medicine consultations (HK$1.44 million) and dental services (HK$1.44 million) will be provided to meet residents’ physical needs. In addition, transportation allowances (HK$1 million) will be established to support schoolchildren in their educational journey.
• Holistic Support for Families and Vulnerable Individuals: Provision of home nursing services or caregiver allowances for the elderly and chronically ill (HK$4.5 million), alongside the establishment of child care services offering daytime care and homework tutoring (HK$1.5 million) to ease family burdens and strengthen household resilience.
• Memorial Support and Assistance for the Injured: Allocation of HK$4 million in subsidies for memorial tablets, providing families with dignified remembrance and honoring the lives lost.
• Disbursing One-Off Aid to the Injured: Allocation of HK$980,000 in one-off financial assistance to critically injured and previously hospitalized individuals, extending support for their recovery and expressing sincere wishes for a swift return to health.

Yan Chai Hospital remains steadfast in the belief that the strength of a community is rooted in mutual care and solidarity. This allocation and comprehensive support programme exemplifies our enduring motto of “Serving the Community in the Spirit of Benevolence”. We will continue to closely monitor the evolving needs of residents of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, working hand in hand with all sectors of society to foster a more resilient, inclusive, and hopeful future for the community.

 

Photo caption

Yan Chai Hospital has partnered with Octopus Cards Limited to launch the new “Yan Chai with Love Together We Walk” limited-edition Octopus card, initiating the “Yan Chai Hospital Octopus Card – Wang Fuk Court Residents Living Allowance Programme”.

(From Left) Mr. Sam Wong, Head of Operations and Service, Octopus Cards Limited, Mr. Jason Leung, Chief Executive of Yan Chai Hospital Board, Ms. Phoebe Tang, General Manager of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Octopus Cards Limited, Mr. Tim Ying, Chief Executive Officer of Octopus Holdings Limited, Mr. Gary Chu, Chairman of Yan Chai Hospital Board, Ms. Wendy Law, Vice-chairman of Yan Chai Hospital Board, Ms. Linda So, Vice-chairman of Yan Chai Hospital Board and Ms. Carmen Yim, Vice-chairman of Yan Chai Hospital Board announced the “Yan Chai Hospital Octopus Card – Wang Fuk Court Residents Living Allowance Programme” will be launched on January 21, 2026.

 

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