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On the advice of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee, the Government has approved a grant of $1.5 million from the Disaster Relief Fund to World Vision Hong Kong for the provision of emergency relief to earthquake victims in Kashmir, India.
So far, the committee has approved three applications for grants totalling $6.5 million to help the South Asia earthquake victims.
The committee hopes that the grant will help provide relief to earthquake victims in India. To ensure that the money will be used for the designated purpose, the committee will ask World Vision Hong Kong to submit an evaluation report and audited accounts on the use of the grant after the relief project has been completed.
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/Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:08
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