XN000022-1996-02-26 — Page 8

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Further grant from Disaster Relief Fund approved

The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee has today (Monday) approved a grant of $1.95 million to Medecins Sans Frontieres as a contribution to its emergency relief operation for earthquake victims in Lijiang, Yunnan, China.

This is the third grant for such purpose from the Fund, the first two being a $4.195 million grant to Hong Kong Red Cross and a $3 million grant to Oxfam Hong Kong.

The Government will require Medecins Sans Frontieres to submit an evaluation report and an audited account on the use of the grant to ensure that the money will be used for the designated purpose.

"Medecins Sans Frontieres is already working in the earthquake affected areas. The grant will assist its field operation staff in providing shelter and treatment for the wounded," a government spokesman said.

The Advisory Committee is chaired by the Chief Secretary. Other members are Dr Raymond Ch'ien, Mr JD McGregor, Mr Cheung Hon-chung, Mr Lau Chin-shek, the Secretary for Health and Welfare, and the Secretary for the Treasury.

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Places, available at Govt primary schools

Parents wishing to apply for Primary 2 to 6 school places for their children in government schools in the new academic year commencing this September will be able to do so from this Friday (March 1).

Senior Education Officer (Government Schools), Mrs Fok Yu-hing, said children aged six years and eight months or above on September 1 this year are eligible to apply for admission.

Details of vacancies will be displayed at the main entrance of government primary schools and application forms will be available during working hours from individual schools between March 1 and March 9.