The Islands District Office has so far received 547 applications for financial assistance from Tai O residents affected by recent storms. Shop or restaurant owners submitted more than 60 claims.

Emergency relief has so far been offered to 125 applicants and it is expected disbursement of the money will be completed by next week. All the applications have been expeditiously processed under the Emergency Relief Fund and General Chinese Charities Fund by the Lands Department and Islands District Office.

The Home Affairs Department said the Government will provide emergency relief to people affected by natural disasters but will not offer compensation as a matter of policy.

The health and hygiene condition of Tai O is back to normal after cleaning works over the past two days by staff of the Food & Environmental Hygiene and Marine Departments.