Hong Kong and Macau pledge millions for Nepal flood relief

Hong Kong’s Nepali community and other local organisations have launched fundraising drives to support those affected by deadly flash floods near the country’s border with Tibet, as the city’s government earmarked HK$50 million to support relief efforts.

In a social media post on Saturday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the money would come from the Disaster Relief Fund and that its advisory committee would process applications swiftly.

“I express my deep condolences for the victims and extend my heartfelt sympathies to those affected and the families of the victims,” he said.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club also announced on Saturday that it was donating HK$20 million to support ongoing relief efforts, while the Macau government said it would donate 30 million yuan (US$4.5 million).

The jockey club added the Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, a collaboration between Polytechnic University and Sichuan University established in the wake of the deadly 2008 quake in mainland China, was also taking part in rescue efforts.

On Wednesday, a huge wall of mud and rock collapsed into a river along the Himalayan border between Nepal and China’s Tibet, triggering catastrophic flooding.