XN000022-1972-06-21 — Page 4

Wednesday, June 21, 1972

THUNDERSTORM RELIEF CONTINUES

Victims of the thunderstorm so far registered with the Social Welfare

Department are to receive immediately $200 cash each as an ex gratia payment

from the Community Relief Trust Fund.

The payment is to those living in Kwun Tong and other areas, including

Hong Kong Island, whose homes have been destroyed.

The Director of Social Welfare, as Trustee of the Community Relief

Trust Fund said today the payments recognised the particularly severe suffering

caused in these areas by the series of landslides.

"They in no way affect other payments allowed victims of the disaster,

such as the $500 burial grants and the $6,000 grants for families on the death

of the chief bread-winner," he said.

Thirty-two families received burial grants from the Fund beginning

today. Other burial grants will be made as soon as possible. Several families

are being considered for the $6,000 grants and payment will begin immediately

after investigation.

The Director said contributions from members of the public were being

received, and there would be daily statements after 4 p.m. on the total collected,

as well as the allocations made from the Fund.

He urged various organisations collecting donations for the thunderstormi

victims to send the money to the Fund so that it could be put to the best use on a

co-ordinated basis,

So far, the chief allocation from the Fund has been $1 million to the

Agriculture and Fisheries Department for the relief of farmers suffering severe

losses in livestock, crops, pond fish, dwellings and equipment.

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