Firefighters distribute dumplings at a resettlement site for earthquake victims at Jintian village, Zhongchuan township, Minhe county, Haidong, Northwest China's Qinghai province, Dec 22, 2023. (LE KAOJUN / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Friday announced five grants totaling HK$33 million ($4.2 million) to provide relief to earthquake victims in the provinces of Gansu and Qinghai.

The 6.2-magnitude earthquake, which occurred on Monday in Jishishan county, Linxia Hui autonomous prefecture, Gansu province, has resulted in serious causalities and infrastructure damage in the two provinces.

The HKSAR government has approved five disaster relief applications under the Disaster Relief Fund, from five organizations, a spokesperson for the government said in a statement.

The HKSAR government will continue close liaison with the five organizations over their implementation of relief projects, monitor the disaster situation and related assistance work, and process any subsequent applications from other organizations, together with the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee, in a timely manner, the spokesperson said

The five organizations included Amity Foundation, Hong Kong, the HKFTU Disasters Relief Charity Fund, HK United Youth Exchange Foundation, Hong Kong Federation of Overseas Chinese Associations Charitable Foundation, and Oxfam Hong Kong.

“The HKSAR government expresses its deep sympathy to the mainland compatriots affected by the disaster, and maintains close contact with various rescue organizations regarding relief support,” the spokesperson said.

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The government had promptly processed, in consultation with the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee, the funding applications from the organizations under the Disaster Relief Fund, and informed them of the in-principle approval given for grants, the spokesperson added.

“The grants demonstrate the close relationship between Hong Kong and mainland people, and the spirit of mutual help.”

The SAR government hoped that the grants will provide appropriate assistance for the mainland compatriots affected, and help the disaster-stricken areas proceed with post-disaster reconstruction.

The spokesperson said the government will continue close liaison with the organizations over their implementation of relief projects, monitor the disaster situation and related assistance work, and process any subsequent applications from other organizations, together with the advisory committee, in a timely manner.

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The Disaster Relief Fund, established on Dec 1, 1993, provides the government with a mechanism to respond to appeals for humanitarian aid in relief of disasters that occur outside Hong Kong.