************************************************************
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) released $18 million from the Disaster Relief Fund to provide immediate relief to people in distress outside Hong Kong in the year ending March 31, 2006. It brings the total amount of grants disbursed to about $350 million since the fund was established in December, 1993.
In response to appeals made by governments and international relief organisations, grants were disbursed for early relief of victims in places outside Hong Kong hard-hit by major disasters.
For 2005-06, assistance was given through eight relief projects operated by four relief organisations to help tide victims over the calamities that had befallen them. The four relief organisations were the Association of Chinese Evangelical Ministry Ltd., Hong Kong Red Cross, Mercy Corps Limited and World Vision Hong Kong. The Government has also responded to a direct appeal from the Pakistani government for relief supplies after the South Asia earthquake.
From June to August, 2005, three disbursements totalling $8 million were sent to people affected by floods in Chongqing, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Sichuan and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on the Mainland. Another grant of $1 million was made in December, 2005, for earthquake victims in Jiangxi.
In October and November, 2005, four grants totalling $7.48 million were approved for the relief of earthquake victims in Pakistan and India.
One more grant of $2 million was approved in March, 2006, to help drought victims in Ethiopia.
Relief organisations receiving grants from the fund are required to submit evaluation reports and audited accounts to the HKSARG on the use of the grants after the completion of the relief projects.
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 fund is operated from a capital amount of $50 million provided by the HKSARG when it was established. The Government will top up the fund at the beginning of each financial year and apply to the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council for additional funding 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 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, May 10, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:46
NNNN
