Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government released 272.34 million HK dollars (about 3.5 million U.S. dollars) to help disaster-hit people outside Hong Kong in the year ending March 31, 2008, revealed a report Friday.

According to the report released by the Disaster Relief Fund Friday, assistance was given through 22 relief projects operated by seven relief organizations in 2007-08 to help needy victims tide over the calamities that had befallen them.

The seven relief organizations were the Association of Chinese Evangelical Ministry Limited, Cedar Fund, Hong Kong Red Cross, Mercy Corps Limited, Oxfam Hong Kong, the Salvation Army and World Vision Hong Kong.

The HKSAR government also made three grants totaling 210 million HK dollars (26.92 million U.S. dollars) to three provincial and municipal governments to undertake relief projects for snowstorm victims on the Chinese mainland.

In response to appeals made by governments and international relief organizations, HKSAR government will disburse grants for the early relief of victims in places outside Hong Kong hard-hit by major disasters.

Relief organizations receiving grants from the fund are required to submit evaluation reports and audited accounts to the HKSAR government 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 HKSAR government to respond swiftly to international appeals for humanitarian aid for the relief of disasters that occur outside Hong Kong.

The fund is operated from capital of 50 million HK dollars (6.41 million U.S. dollars) provided by the HKSAR government when the fund was established. The HKSAR 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 HKSAR government on policy and practices regarding the disbursement of funds for disaster relief, as well as advising on specific amounts to recipients and monitoring the use of grants.

(Xinhua News Agency May 3, 2008)