DONATIONS continued to pour in yesterday as initial estimates suggested Hong Kong donors have given more than $100 million for the victims of the Yunnan earthquake. With more fund-raising events arranged for the coming week, the total raised by Hong Kong donors is set to surpass donations from the rest of the world put together. The China News Service said the Xinhua (New China News Agency) office had received at least $91 million from Hong Kong donors. Among the donors were the chairman of Hong Kong Tobacco, Ho Ying-chie, who gave $50 million. Another Hong Kong tycoon, Li Ka-shing, and his companies donated a total of $10 million. By yesterday, Hong Kong Red Cross had received $15.4 million while Oxfam had raised $1.5 million. World Vision Hong Kong, meanwhile, said it had collected $1.12 million so far. Hong Kong's Unicef committee also pledged $2 million. The tally did not include $8 million approved in principle by the Hong Kong Government's Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee. Several media organisations and relief agencies have planned fund-raising drives in Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay at the weekend. A charity golf tournament will be held on Monday. The two main teachers' unions - the Professional Teachers' Union and Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers - have issued separate appeals to students. Donations in the form of new clothing, medicine and tents have also flooded in over the past few days. Assistant secretary-general of Hong Kong Red Cross, Bonnie So Yuen-han, said the group would decide how to distribute donations after its two delegates - Wong Mok-fai and Chau Ping-hay - reported back from Yunnan. 'They are out in the field and we will plan our actions after they report back to us,' said Ms So. Oxfam publicity officer Judy Au said the success of the relief efforts hinged on whether the donations and relief materials could help the victims resume normal and productive lives. She said it was important to help Yunnan's farmers rebuild the damaged irrigation facilities and resume planting in spring. Taiwan's Red Cross has reportedly raised $837,000 for the earthquake victims.
