Hong Kong Sends Emergency Relief Supplies to Earthquake-Hit Myanmar

HKSAR Government donates relief supplies to Myanmar and approves grants to provide relief (with photos/video)

​In view of the recent strong earthquake that occurred in Sagaing Region of Myanmar, which resulted in serious casualties and infrastructure damage, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been working in close communication with the Consulate General of Myanmar in Hong Kong, and has co-ordinated and collected a batch of emergency relief supplies in response to the urgent needs of the disaster-stricken areas. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended a donation ceremony at Hong Kong International Airport today (April 3) to hand over the relief supplies to the Consul-General of Myanmar in Hong Kong, and immediately arranged for their delivery to the disaster-stricken areas to meet the immediate needs of the people affected.

Over 20 tonnes of relief supplies, including key items such as food, drinking water, medical kits and temporary accommodation materials were collected swiftly and in accordance with the specific needs of the disaster-stricken areas through the co-operation and co-ordination of different government departments. A portion of the relief supplies were donated by the local community.

Mr Chan remarked that the HKSAR Government fully supports disaster relief for the earthquake in Myanmar, and the supplies carry the HKSAR's support and blessings to the disaster-stricken areas. He expressed his sincere hope that the relief efforts will tide local people over this period of difficulties so that they can resume a normal life as soon as possible. Mr Chan added that the HKSAR Government will continue to monitor the latest situation in Myanmar closely and provide further support as needed.

Also attending the ceremony were the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; the Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; and the Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming.

The HKSAR Government has activated the Disaster Relief Fund mechanism previously and has liaised closely with various relief organisations. It has given in-principle approval for grants totalling about $30 million to seven organisations. All seven organisations have extensive experience in implementing disaster relief projects. A list of the organisations with the grants approved is in the Annex.

The HKSAR Government will continue its close contact with the organisations concerned to ensure early confirmation of the detailed relief programmes to provide necessary and appropriate assistance to people affected, help the disaster-stricken areas overcome difficulties and resume a normal life as soon as possible.

HKSAR Government donates relief supplies to Myanmar and approves grants to provide relief (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government donates relief supplies to Myanmar and approves grants to provide relief (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government donates relief supplies to Myanmar and approves grants to provide relief (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR search and rescue team returns from Myanmar to Hong Kong (with photos/video)

The search and rescue team deployed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to the quake-stricken areas in Myanmar to assist in the search and rescue work returned to Hong Kong yesterday night (April 9) after completing its mission.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Permanent Secretary for Security, Mr Patrick Li; the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk; the Acting Director of Immigration, Mr Ching Wo-mok; and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Tony Ko, welcomed the team at Hong Kong International Airport.

In his speech, Mr Lee said that the search and rescue team members overcame numerous difficulties and raced against time through their professional training, determined will and immense courage, fully demonstrating the professionalism in fearlessly braving challenges and caring for those in distress.

Upon completion of the operation in Mantalay, Myanmar, the China and the HKSAR search and rescue teams arrived in Beijing yesterday afternoon. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; and the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung, welcomed the teams at Beijing Capital International Airport and flew to Hong Kong together with the HKSAR search and rescue team yesterday night.

The HKSAR search and rescue team departed for Myanmar on the afternoon of March 29 to conduct search and rescue work in Mantalay, one of the most devastated areas in Myanmar. The team conducted joint operations with the China search and rescue teams for days and successfully rescued one survivor. In addition, the HKSAR team found two bodies under the debris.

The 51-strong HKSAR search and rescue team, led by Deputy Chief Fire Officer of the Fire Services Department (FSD) Mr Cheu Yu-kok, comprises 40 members of the FSD, including firemen, ambulancemen and fire services workshops personnel, as well as officers from the Security Bureau, the Immigration Department and the HA.

HKSAR search and rescue team returns from Myanmar to Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR search and rescue team returns from Myanmar to Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR search and rescue team returns from Myanmar to Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR search and rescue team returns from Myanmar to Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases