XN000022-1994-03-04 — Page 2

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FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994

DISASTER RELIEF FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE HOLDS FIRST MEETING

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THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS GUIDELINES FOR GRANTS OF AID FROM THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND.

"THE COMMITTEE HAS LAID DOWN SOME BROAD GUIDELINES TO PROVIDE A FAIR AND OBJECTIVE BASIS FOR CONSIDERING PROPOSALS FOR GRANTS FROM THE FUND,

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

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IN

"THE COMMITTEE HAS DECIDED THAT GRANTS SHOULD ONLY BE MADE CASES OF A SPECIFIC DISASTER, NOT AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE DISASTER SHOULD BE OF SUCH A NATURE AND SCALE THAT CALLS FOR A RESPONSE BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

TO

OR A BY A

UNDER THE GUIDELINES, GRANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE APPEALS MADE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY BY A GOVERNMENT RELIEF ORGANISATION, OR UPON RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED RELIEF ORGANISATION FOR A DISASTER RELIEF PROJECT.

APPLICATION SHOULD BE BASED ON HUMANITARIAN, AND SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A MEASURE OF

THE APPEAL OR NOT POLITICAL, GROUNDS SUPPORT IN HONG KONG. ORGANISATION SHOULD BE COMMITTEE'S CONSIDERATION.

PUBLIC

IN ADDITION, ANY APPLICATION BY A RELIEF SUPPORTED BY A DETAILED PROPOSAL FOR THE

"TO ENSURE THAT GRANTS ARE USED FOR DISASTER RELIEF SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES, THE GOVERNMENT OR RELIEF ORGANISATION CONCERNED WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT то THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AN EVALUATION REPORT AND AN AUDITED ACCOUNT ON THE USE OF THE GRANT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE DETAILED GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST TO INTERESTED RELIEF ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT PUBLIC DONATIONS AND

FROM GENERAL REVENUE ARE THE MAIN SOURCES OF THE FUND.

APPROPRIATIONS

TO THE

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO WELCOME TO DONATE FUND FOR GENERAL RELIEF PURPOSE. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE

553, EAST WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

OFFICES (TEL 810 3503).

IN ROOM

IS CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY. OTHER MEMBERS ARE MSROSANNAWONG, DRRAYMONDCH'IEN, MRSELSIETU, MRHUIYIN-FAT, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY.

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