Beijing: The Hong Kong Government today (Aug 17, 2004) announced a grant of one million HK dollars to India for the rehabilitation of flood victims in the country with a rider that the money should be "used for the designated purpose."

"The Government has accepted the advice of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee and approved a grant of one million HK Dollars from the Disaster Relief Fund to World Vision Hong Kong (WVHK) for emergency relief to flood victims in India," a Government press release said.

The committee hopes that the grant can help provide immediate relief to the flood victims, it said.

"To ensure that the money will be used for the designated purposes, the committee will ask WVHK to submit an evaluation report and audited accounts on the use of the grant after the relief project has been completed," the release from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government said.

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

The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee, consisting of top Hong Kong Government officials, is responsible for advising the Government on the policy and practices regarding the disbursement of funds for disaster relief, advising on specific amounts to specific recipients, and monitoring the use of grants.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, is a Special Administrative Region of China since July 1, 1997.