DISASTER RELIEF FUND
Present Position
CONFIDENTIAL
REVISED
There is
currently
no formal mechanism for providing
disaster relief to places outside Hong Kong. We have consulted the LegCo House Committee on the idea of establishing a Disaster Relief Fund. Having obtained their support in principle, we are now ready to put the idea to ExCo.
shall be proposing that the Fund be established by resolution under the Public Finance Ordinance.
We
Line to Take
We intend to set up a Disaster Relief Fund to put in place a ready-mechanism whereby the Government can respond swiftly to catastrophies elsewhere with offers of humanitarian assistance. Our plan is to establish the Fund in the current financial year by resolution under the Public Finance Ordinance. Subject to the approval of LegCo, the Fund will be launched with an initial appropriation of $50 million, which would be topped up as necessary. Disbursements from the Fund will be advised by a committee chaired by the Chief Secretary and comprising Secretary for the Treasury,
·
Secretary for Health and Welfare, two ExCo Members and two LegCo Members. The committee shall advise on the policy and practices regarding the disbursement of fund for disaster relief, consider the award and monitor the use of grants.
20 d
BSOL 129 298+
(59) 301HO SOI AINDER
42:01 $66T-MON-II