Hong Kong to seek urgent aid funds

$40 million fund injection proposed.

According to a release, the Government plans to seek urgent Legislative Council approval on November 15 for a supplementary provision as an injection to the Disaster Relief Fund.

The proposed injection of $40 million is to ensure sufficient funding is available for the payment of grants in respect of the recent typhoon in the Philippines, and to meet other calls for disaster relief for the rest of the financial year.

Super Typhoon Haiyan caused serious casualties in the Philippines. The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee's Secretariat today contacted numerous local relief organisations regarding emergency aid for the typhoon victims.

The fund’s remaining balance of $9 million is unlikely enough to meet requirements.

The Legislative Council approved an appropriation of $50 million for the establishment of the Disaster Relief Fund in 1993. The fund is topped up at the beginning of every financial year. If the proposal for supplementary provision is approved, the fund balance will be about $50 million.