The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government released $82.15 million from the Disaster Relief Fund in the year 2015-16 to support relief organisations and a government authority in providing emergency relief to victims of major disasters occurring outside Hong Kong.

     Grants amounting to $32.15 million were disbursed for nine projects carried out by six relief organisations, providing relief to cyclone victims in Vanuatu, earthquake victims in Nepal and Pakistan as well as flood victims in Myanmar and India. These six relief organisations are Amity Foundation, Hong Kong; Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong; Oxfam Hong Kong; Plan International Hong Kong; Save the Children Hong Kong and World Vision Hong Kong. To cater for different needs of the victims, a wide range of relief supplies including food, clothing, hygiene and household items (such as water filters, plastic latrines and solar lights), and emergency shelter materials and tools (such as corrugated galvanised iron sheets and tarpaulins) were distributed through the relief projects. From the feedback gathered by the relief organisations, the victims were very grateful for the effective and timely assistance provided by the Disaster Relief Fund.

     In addition to the grants released to relief organisations, a donation of $50 million from the Disaster Relief Fund was made to the Government of Nepal as contribution to their disaster relief efforts in connection with the earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale that hit the northwest of Kathmandu, Nepal, in April 2015.

     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 Government 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 report on its use.

     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 for relief of disasters that occur outside Hong Kong. The annual report on the activities of the Fund for the year 2015-16 has been uploaded onto the website of the Administration Wing at www.admwing.gov.hk/eng/links/drfund.htm.

     The Disaster Relief Fund is topped up by the Government at the start of each financial year and, 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 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, Mr Ip Kwok-him, Dr Helena Wong Pik-wan, Mr Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, Mr Leo Kung Lin-cheng, Dr Tik Chi-yuen, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare.

Ends/Friday, December 30, 2016
Issued at HKT 11:30

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