HK to give 2.97 million dollars to help tsunami-hit victims

Hong Kong government Tuesday said it would present 23.1 million HK dollars (2.97 million US dollars) to the Red Cross, World Vision, Oxfam, the United Nations Children's Fund and the Salvation Army for the Indian Ocean tsunami victims.

According to the government's report, about 33 million HK dollars had been raised in the Government co-ordinated charity event for the tsunami disaster. About 30 percent money will be set aside to meet the needs of those tsunami-affected Hong Kong citizens while the remaining 70 percent will be shared in three slots.

The Home Affairs Department will allocate 7.5 million HK dollars to the five charity groups on Jan. 12 as the first grant of 10 million HK dollars had handed them on January 7. The remaining 7.5 million HK dollars will be given to the organizations as soon as possible.

An advisory committee will be set up and will soon hold a meeting to decide how to allocate the sum set aside for tsunami-affected Hong Kong people.