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The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved today (August 17) a supplementary provision of $50 million to replenish the Disaster Relief Fund (the Fund). Following the approval, the Government has accepted the advice of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee (the Committee) and approved a grant of $50 million from the Fund to be provided through the Chung Hwa Travel Service to the Taiwanese authorities to undertake relief projects for victims in Taiwan affected by Typhoon Morakot.
Announcing the grant today, a Government spokesman said that a special mechanism had also been set up by the Committee to enable the HKSAR Government to respond quickly to direct appeals for aid in kind from relief agencies. The Committee hoped that the special mechanism would help provide relief to typhoon victims in Taiwan more efficiently.
In line with the established arrangements for grants made under the Fund, the Committee will request the Taiwan side to provide information on the disbursement of the grant upon completion of the related relief activities.
The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee is responsible for advising the Government on the policy and practices regarding the disbursement of funding for disaster relief from the Disaster Relief Fund, which was established in December 1993 for emergency disaster relief in places outside Hong Kong, as well as 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 Prof 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/Monday, August 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:41
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