Disaster fund offers HK$65m for Northeast China rainstorm and flood relief

Hong Kong's Disaster Relief Fund has approved a grant of HK$65 million in total to nine organizations for providing relief to flood victims in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and Northeast China, the SAR government announced on Monday.

A spokesman said the government maintained close contact with rescue organizations regarding the disaster situation and related relief support and has promptly processed and approved the disaster relief funding applications from nine organizations under the Fund to offer relief items to the mainland.

The nine organizations with approved grants included The HKFTU Disasters Relief Charity Fund; Federation of Hong Kong Beijing Organisations; World Vision Hong Kong; H.K. United Youth Exchange Foundation; The Hong Kong Island Social Services Charitable Foundation; Hua Jing Youth Foundation; Hong Kong CPPCC (Provincial) Members Association Foundation; All-China Women's Federation Hong Kong Delegates Association Foundation and Amity Foundation, Hong Kong.

To ensure the Fund is used for the designated purposes, the organizations concerned are required to submit evaluation reports and audited accounts on the use of the grants to the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee after completing the relief projects. The government will also maintain close liaison with the organizations to monitor the progress of the relief projects.

"The grants demonstrate the close relationship between Hong Kong and Mainland people and the spirit of mutual help," the spokesman said. "The HKSAR government hopes that the grants will provide appropriate assistance for the Mainland compatriots affected and help the disaster-stricken areas overcome difficulties and proceed with post-disaster reconstruction."

The Disaster Relief Fund was established in 1993 and provides the government with a mechanism to respond to appeals for humanitarian aid in the relief of disasters outside Hong Kong. 

The Fund had previously provided relief to the victims of the Philippines typhoon, the Haiti earthquake, the Vietnam flood, and disasters in China.