Hong Kong donates P14.7-M worth of aid to ‘Ursula’ victims

FILE: A toppled electric post along a major highway in Tanauan, Leyte. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)

HONG KONG — The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has approved from the Disaster Relief Fund two grants totaling 2.29 million Hong Kong dollars (PHP14.7 million) for providing relief to typhoon victims in the Philippines.

A government spokesman said Wednesday that the funds will be used to provide household and hygiene items, as well as shelter materials to benefit around 24,500 typhoon victims and help them restore their normal living in the Philippines.

The funds will be distributed via two agencies, which are Adventist Development and Relief Agency China (Hong Kong) and Oxfam Hong Kong.

Typhoon Phanfone, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Ursula, wreaked havoc in the Philippines in December, affecting over 1.7 million villagers in six regions.

A total of 372 schoolhouses, nearly 305 houses, 31 health facilities, and 98 government offices were damaged by heavy rain and fierce winds. (Xinhua)