The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region released $66.78 million from the Disaster Relief Fund in the year 2019-20 to support relief organisations in providing emergency relief to the victims of disasters that occurred outside Hong Kong.
Grants amounting to $66.78 million were disbursed for 18 programmes carried out by nine relief organisations, providing relief to typhoon and flood victims in Malawi, Mozambique, India, the Mainland of China, Nepal, Bangladesh and the Philippines. The number of beneficiaries was estimated to be around 470 000. The nine relief organisations concerned were Adventist Development and Relief Agency China (Hong Kong); Oxfam Hong Kong; Amity Foundation, Hong Kong; CEDAR Fund; Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong; Plan International Hong Kong; World Vision Hong Kong; Hong Kong Red Cross and Save the Children Hong Kong.
To cater for the different needs of the victims, a wide range of relief items had been distributed through the relief programmes, including food, quilts, hygiene and household items (such as water filters, emergency latrine kits, mosquito nets, kitchen utensils and portable solar powered lights) and temporary shelter materials and tools (such as tarpaulins, ropes and floor mats) as well as education kits (such as notebooks and stationeries). 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 to the Government on the use of the grants 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 appeals for humanitarian aid in relief of disasters that occur outside Hong Kong. The annual report on the activities of the Fund for the year 2019-20, photos of the relief programmes and feedback from the victims have been uploaded to the Administration Wing's website at www.admwing.gov.hk/eng/links/drfund.htm.
The Disaster Relief Fund is replenished by the Government at the start of each financial year and, as necessary, during the financial year, depending on the 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, specific amounts of grants made to the applicants, as well as monitoring the use of grants.
The Committee is chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Members are Mr Ip Kwok-him, Dr Lam Ching-choi, Mr Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, Mr Lau Kwok-fan, Mrs Ann Kung Yeung Yun-chi, Professor Emily Chan Ying-yang, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare.
Follow this news feed: East Asia