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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) released $348.93 million from the Disaster Relief Fund to provide immediate relief to people in distress outside Hong Kong in the year ending March 31, 2009. In response to appeals made by various governments and international relief organisations, grants were disbursed for the early relief of victims in places outside Hong Kong which were hard-hit by major disasters.
For 2008-09, assistance was given through 15 relief projects operated by six relief organisations to help needy victims affected by calamities that had befallen them. The six relief organisations were the Amity Foundation, the Association of Chinese Evangelical Ministry Limited, Cedar Fund, Hong Kong Red Cross, Oxfam Hong Kong and World Vision Hong Kong. The Government also made four grants totalling $305.1 million to the Disaster Relief Headquarters and other government authorities on the Mainland to undertake relief projects for victims of the Sichuan earthquake.
Details of the relief projects are as follows:
* In April 2008, a grant of $1.29 million was approved for relief of snowstorm victims in Guangxi and Yunnan.
* In May to August 2008, eight grants totalling $28.74 million were made for relief of earthquake victims in Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi.
* In May to June 2008, three grants totalling $6.19 million were made for relief of cyclone victims in Myanmar, of which a grant of $630,000 was not taken up by one of the applicants of its own accord.
* In September 2008, three grants totalling $4.91 million were made for relief of flood victims in India.
* In March 2009, a grant of $2.7 million was made for relief of victims of food crisis in Kenya of Africa.
Relief organisations receiving grants from the fund are required to submit evaluation reports and audited accounts to the HKSARG on the use of the grants after the completion of the relief projects.
The Disaster Relief Fund, administered by the Administration Wing under the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office, provides an effective channel for the Government to respond swiftly to international appeals for humanitarian aid in relief of disasters that occur outside Hong Kong.
The Fund is operated from a capital amount of $50 million provided by the HKSARG when it was established. The Government tops up the fund at the beginning of each financial year and applies to the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council for additional funding as necessary during the financial year, depending on calls for relief and the size of the fund balance and commitments.
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 recipients, and monitoring the use of grants.
The committee is chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Members include Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, Mr V Nee Yeh, Mrs Sophie Leung Lau Yau-fun, Mr Wong Sing-chi, Mr Victor Lo Chung-wing, Mr Irving Koo Yee-yin, Mrs Alice Chong Yuk Tak-fun, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare.
Ends/Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:01
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