The Agency for Volunteer Service urged community members to set aside 100 hours within the next five years to participate in volunteer work to support earthquake victims in Sichuan province.

The agency, in collaboration with Radio Television Hong Kong, kicked off the campaign yesterday.

(From left) Pop singers Leo Ku, Joey Yung, Leon Lai, and Eason Chan pose for a photo at an event organized by the Agency for Volunteer Service urging community members to do 100 hours of volunteer work within the next five years for the Sichuan earthquake victims. The red hearts signified their determination to help the victims through the hard times. Edmond Tang

The agency's chairman Lee Jack-pui said the earthquake victims need long-term support.

"There are still a lot of things that need to be done," he said. "The victims there certainly need counseling. Hong Kong people should be able to give a helping hand."

Lee said the agency is liaising with mainland authorities to work out details as to how Hong Kong volunteers can help the government rebuild the devastated province.

As the agency's chief executive officer Flora Chung Woon-fan observed, various services are needed, such as education on hygiene and organizing recreation activities for the children.

As for members of the Hong Kong public who want to express their support, Chung said there are many other ways to help. For instance, knitting sweaters for the victims.

Those who want to sign up to become a volunteer can register on www.quake volunteer.hk or call the hotline on 2546 0694.

The agency will also organize 7-day observation trips to the province for volunteers aged 18 or above next year. Each participating volunteer would have to pay about HK$6,000.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) announced two directions to assist in the reconstruction of Sichuan.

The DAB will initiate a "family-to-family financial aid program", in which a Hong Kong family will donate about HK$300 monthly to a Sichuan household victimized by the earthquake.

"We hope to relieve their financial burden during the reconstruction," said DAB vice-chairman Ip Kwok-him.

Vice-chairlady Ann Chiang added about six million Sichuan households were made homeless by the earthquake, and they lost all their savings together with their homes.

At the moment, the Ministry of Civil Affair (MCA) can provide about information of 10,000 households for the program.

The DAB will announce details of the program next Monday on its website, posters and banners which will be put up throughout the city.

No administration cost will be deducted from the donations.

The party will also assist in the Central Government's plan for rebuilding schools, orphanages, homes for the elderly and the disabled.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) launched a website for members of the public to obtain information of 130 charity organizations in a bid to prevent fraud and enhance the transparency of charity groups.

The Social Welfare Department has received 12 complaints related to unauthorized fundraising activities. The department has referred the cases to police.

HKCSS chairman Bernard Chan called on charity groups to enhance transparency.

HKCSS chief executive Christine Fang hoped the public could make donations on a regular basis so as to support the earthquake victims.

(HK Edition 06/03/2008 page1)