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Indonesia/Philippines/China: $19.88 million for disaster relief outside Hong Kong in 2006-07

Pays
Chine
+ 3
Sources
Govt. China-Hong Kong
Date de publication

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) released $19.88 million from the Disaster Relief Fund to provide immediate relief to people in distress outside Hong Kong in the year ending March 31, 2007.

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 2006-07, assistance was given through 11 relief projects operated by six relief organisations to help needy victims. The six relief organisations were the Association of Chinese Evangelical Ministry, Hong Kong Red Cross, Mercy Corps, Oxfam Hong Kong, the Salvation Army and World Vision Hong Kong. The Government has also responded to a direct appeal from the Indonesian government for relief supplies after the Central Java earthquake.

Details of the relief projects are as follows:

  • From May to July, 2006, six grants totalling $10.88 million were approved for the relief of earthquake victims in Indonesia.

  • In July and August, 2006, three disbursements totalling $5 million were sent to people affected by floods in Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan and Jiangxi on the Mainland. Another grant of $1.5 million was made in September, 2006, for drought victims in Sichuan.

  • In December, 2006, two grants totalling $2.5 million were approved for the relief of typhoon victims in the Philippines.

    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 tops up the fund at the beginning of each financial year and applies 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 recipients, and monitoring the use of grants.

    The committee is chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Members include Mr Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, Mr Andrew Liao Cheung-sing, Mrs Sophie Leung Lau Yau-fun, Dr 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.