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On the advice of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee, the Government has approved three grants from the Disaster Relief Fund totalling $7.9 million to three relief agencies to undertake relief projects for earthquake victims in Yogyakarta and Central Java, Indonesia.
The three grants are one of $2.4 million to Oxfam Hong Kong, one of $3.3 million to the Salvation Army and the last one of $2.2 million to World Vision Hong Kong.
The committee hopes that the grants will help provide relief to earthquake victims in Yogyakarta and Central Java Provinces. To ensure that the money will be used for the designated purposes, the committee will ask the three relief agencies to submit evaluation reports and audited accounts on the use of the grant after the relief projects have been completed.
Also, at the request of the Indonesian Government, the HKSAR Government procured and arranged air-freight of 20 tonnes of relief supplies, including tents and blankets, to help the needy in the country. The last consignment arrived in Jakarta on June 9.
The Disaster Relief Fund was established in December 1993 for emergency disaster relief in places outside Hong Kong. The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee is responsible for advising the Government on the policy and practices regarding the disbursement of funds for disaster relief, advising on specific amounts to specific recipients, and monitoring the use of grants.
The committee is chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Members include the Hon Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, the Hon Andrew Liao Cheung-sing, the Hon Mrs Sophie Leung Lau Yau-fun, Dr the Hon Kwok Ka-ki, Mr Michael Lai Kam-cheung, Mr Irving Koo Yee-yin, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury and the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food.
Ends/Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:09
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