Hong Kong fire relief fund reaches HK$1.2 billion on huge outpouring from public

Hong Kong’s deadly fire in Tai Po has prompted an outpouring of generosity from the public, with donations already surpassing the total raised in the initial aftermath of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

By noon on Sunday, four days after the fire began, the government’s support fund had grown to HK$1.2 billion (US$153 million), with HK$900 million in public donations and HK$300 million in government grants.

The total does not include donations to non-governmental organisations such as the Hong Kong Red Cross.

About HK$1 billion was raised in Hong Kong in the first week following the earthquake in mainland China’s Sichuan province in May 2008, both in public donations and government funds.

The magnitude-8 earthquake was one of the worst in China’s history, leaving 87,000 people dead, more than 370,000 injured and 5 million homeless.

It was a catalyst for the charitable sector on the mainland and a high point in Hong Kong’s philanthropic support for disaster relief there.