Over $50 million released for disaster relief in 2016-17
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Grants amounting to $54.44 million were disbursed for 20 programmes carried out by eight relief organisations, providing relief to cyclone/hurricane victims in Fiji, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Haiti, earthquake victims in Ecuador, drought victims in India as well as flood victims on the Mainland, in India and Vietnam. The number of beneficiaries was estimated to be around 480 000. The eight relief organisations concerned were Adventist Development and Relief Agency, China; Amity Foundation, Hong Kong; Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong; Hong Kong Red Cross; Oxfam Hong Kong; Plan International Hong Kong; Save the Children Hong Kong and World Vision Hong Kong.
In the year 2016-17, a grant was first disbursed for a non-tangible relief programme and the Fast-track Mechanism for Funding Applications was introduced to facilitate first-phase emergency relief work. Under the Pilot Scheme on Non-tangible Relief Support, "child-friendly spaces" were set up to provide Ecuador earthquake victims with psychosocial support as well as child protection training for parents/caregivers. Through the new Fast-track Mechanism for Funding Applications, a grant was disbursed within eight days from the onset of the flood in Guizhou Province on the Mainland to provide immediate emergency relief items for some of the flood victims.
To cater for the different needs of the victims, a wide range of relief supplies, including food, quilts, hygiene and household items (such as water filters, kitchen utensils and mosquito nets), and temporary shelter materials and tools (such as corrugated galvanised iron sheets and tarpaulins), was distributed through the relief programmes. In addition, the above-mentioned "child-friendly spaces" provided victims with the required psychosocial support. From the feedback gathered by the relief organisations, the victims were very grateful for the timely assistance provided by the Disaster Relief Fund.
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 programmes.
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 the relief of disasters that occur outside Hong Kong. The annual report on the activities of the Fund for the year 2016-17 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 the 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 Ip Kwok-him, Dr Lam Ching-choi, Dr Helena Wong Pik-wan, Mr Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, Dr Tik Chi-yuen, Mrs Ann Kung Yeung Yun-chi, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare.
Ends/Friday, December 29, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:18
Issued at HKT 16:18
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