Donations to relief efforts following the devastating mudslide in the Xizang autonomous region have continued to pour in, with the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Region governments and organizations contributing more than 100 million yuan ($14.9 million).
As of 6pm on Saturday, 16 people had been confirmed dead and more than 546 others, still unaccounted for after a mudslide struck Gyirong Port along the China‑Nepal border on Wednesday morning.
Xinhua News Agency said the debris hurtled downhill at a high speed without any obstacles to dissipate it, leaving people with a narrow window to detect the threat and escape. Experts blamed a high-altitude glacier collapse for the tragedy.
In a social media post on Saturday, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said HK$50 million has been set aside from the SAR government’s disaster relief fund as disaster aid.
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Lee expressed deep sorrow over the calamity, describing the high number of casualties and missing persons as “extremely distressing”. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the affected communities and families of the deceased, saying applications for aid will be promptly processed.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club on Saturday donated HK$20 million through the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR to support rescue operations, extended condolences to those affected and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The club said the Sichuan University-Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, which was set up with its donation following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, is participating in the rescue efforts.
The West China Hospital of Sichuan University’s Emergency Medical Team -- a grantee of the Institute of Philanthropy established by the HKJC and its Charities Trust -- is also providing technical support with experienced clinicians in the disaster-hit region.
The Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation and Sino Group together donated 15 million yuan to support frontline rescue, resettlement and post-disaster reconstruction.
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The Macao SAR government decided to donate 30 million yuan through the Macao Foundation.
Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai conveyed condolences to Xizang, mourning those who lost their lives and expressing sympathy for their families and others affected by the disaster.
The Macao SAR government said it’ll make every effort to provide medical and other aid needed in the affected areas and support post-disaster recovery, calling on all sectors of Macao society to extend assistance to Gyirong and help affected residents resume normal lives as soon as possible.
Contact the writers at: stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com
