HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has approved five grants totalling 21.718 million HK dollars (about $2.8 million) to five relief agencies undertaking relief projects for earthquake victims in Sichuan.

On the advice of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee, the five grants comprise one of 2.06 million HK dollars to Oxfam Hong Kong, one of 3.5 million HK dollars to Save the Children Hong Kong, one of 4.67 million HK dollars to World Vision Hong Kong, one of 5.3 million HK dollars to Amity Foundation, Hong Kong and one of 6.18 million HK dollars to the Salvation Army.

The committee hopes to provide relief to earthquake victims in the province. To ensure that the money will be used for designated purposes, the five relief agencies have been asked to submit evaluation reports and audited accounts on the use of the grants after the projects are completed. ($1 equals 7.76 HK dollars)