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Over $170 million released for disaster relief outside Hong Kong in 2013-14
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     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) released $171.42 million from the Disaster Relief Fund in the year 2013-14 to support relief organisations and a government authority in providing emergency relief to victims of major disasters which occurred outside Hong Kong.

     Grants amounting to $71.42 million were disbursed for 24 projects carried out by 10 relief organisations for providing relief to earthquake victims in Sichuan and Gansu Provinces; drought victims in Yunnan and Hunan Provinces; flood victims in Sichuan Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Heilongjiang Province; typhoon victims in the Philippines; and flood victims in Uttarakhand, India. The 10 relief organisations are Adventist Development and Relief Agency China; Amity Foundation, Hong Kong; CEDAR Fund; Habitat for Humanity China; Operation Blessing Hong Kong; Oxfam Hong Kong; the Salvation Army; Save the Children Hong Kong; Social Workers Across Borders; and World Vision Hong Kong. In addition to grants released to relief organisations, a donation of $100 million was made to the Provincial Government of Sichuan as a contribution to its disaster relief efforts in connection with the earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale that hit Lushan County of Ya'an in Sichuan in April 2013.

     Relief organisations receiving grants from the Disaster Relief Fund are required to submit evaluation reports and audited accounts on the use of the grants to the HKSARG after the completion of the relief projects. For a grant made to a government outside Hong Kong, the recipient authority is also required to submit an evaluation after the completion of the relief programme.

     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 annual report on the activities of the Fund for the year 2013-14 has been uploaded to the website of the Administration Wing at www.admwing.gov.hk/eng/links/drfund.htm.¡@

     The Disaster Relief Fund is topped up to $50 million at the start of each financial year. The Government will apply to the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council for additional provision 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 disbursement of funds for disaster relief and on specific amounts of grants made to the applicants, as well as monitoring the use of grants.

     The Committee is chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration. At present, members include Mr Cheng Yiu-tong, Ms Starry Lee, Dr Priscilla Leung, Mr Cheung Kwok-che, Dr Alice Yuk, Mr Leo Kung, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare.

Ends/Monday, December 8, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:30

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