The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has approved HK$5 million (US$644,039) from the Disaster Relief Fund for emergency relief to flood victims in the Chinese mainland.

According to a government press release on Wednesday, the relief grants will be given to flood victims in Chongqing, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guizhou Province and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

This brings the total amount of grants for flood victims on the mainland to HK$8 million (US$1.03 million). Last month two disbursements totaling HK$3 million (US$386,423) were made for relief to mainland flood victims.

To ensure that the money granted will be used for the designated purposes, the government will ask the relief organizations to submit evaluation reports and audited accounts on the use of the grants after the relief projects have been completed.

The Disaster Relief Fund was established in December 1993 for emergency disaster relief in places outside Hong Kong.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2005)