The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has set aside HK$30 million ($3.86 million) to help the victims of the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday.

The HKSAR government said in a statement late on Saturday that it immediately reserved the HK$30 million from the Disaster Relief Fund and was maintaining close contact with various rescue organizations to provide appropriate assistance to those affected by the quake.

The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee will promptly process related funding applications from organizations, it added.

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The HKSAR government said it has liaised with the Consul-General of Myanmar in Hong Kong and will coordinate with various government bureaus and departments to collect the necessary supplies so that these could delivered as soon as possible to earthquake-stricken areas.

Also on Saturday, the HKSAR government sent a 51-strong search and rescue team to Myanmar to assist in the search and rescue work. The team comprised officers from the Security Bureau, the Fire Services Department, the Immigration Department and the Hospital Authority. They also brought along two search dogs.

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John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the HKSAR, saw the team off at Hong Kong International Airport in the afternoon and presented the HKSAR flag to the representative of the team.

Lee said that the severe earthquake in Myanmar has caused significant casualties. On behalf of the HKSAR government, Lee expressed the deepest condolences to the victims and extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the affected people.

With Xinhua inputs