THE Hong Kong Red Cross will soon deliver more than $9 million worth of relief goods to about 20,000 victims of the killer quake in Yunnan province.
Two Red Cross officers - Assistant Secretary-General Wilson Wong Mok-fai and Bonnie So Yuen-han - will travel to the disaster-stricken region today to oversee the relief operation.
Another voluntary organisation, Hong Kong World Vision, has also kicked off its project to provide temporary relief to more than 40,000 victims in five villages.
Mr Wong, who returned from Lijiang last weekend, said the Red Cross operation was expected to cost $12 million, and was offering warm clothing, cooking utensils, medicine and food.
'We found farmers who have lost their only property in the quake, their clay house built with their life savings,' he said.
'Aid has helped solve their immediate needs but the wounds in their hearts will take a long time to heal. I believe our visit is a big comfort to them.' Hazel Wong of Hong Kong World Vision said it was important to offer the victims more than material assistance. Her agency, which has more than eight years of experience in relief work in Yunnan province, plans to set up temporary shelters for school children. The Christian group has bought about 200 canopies to be used as temporary shelters so schools can reopen next month.
