Government authorities and philanthropic institutions in Hong Kong and Macao have mobilized more than 100 million yuan ($14.9 million) in emergency relief funding following a catastrophic mudslide along the China-Nepal border in the Xizang Autonomous Region, officials confirmed.
The disaster, which struck Gyirong Port on Wednesday morning, was triggered by a high-altitude glacier collapse. According to state-run Xinhua News Agency and local authorities, massive debris hurtled down steep terrain at high speed without natural barriers to break its momentum, leaving residents with virtually no warning or time to evacuate. As of Saturday evening, authorities confirmed 16 deaths, while more than 546 people remain missing as search and rescue teams navigate heavy mud and damaged infrastructure.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced in a statement that the Special Administrative Region (SAR) government has allocated HK$50 million (approximately $6.4 million) from its Disaster Relief Fund to support immediate search, rescue, and humanitarian operations. Expressing deep condolences to victims’ families, Lee noted that formal aid applications from emergency management agencies are being processed on an expedited basis.
Complementing public funds, private organizations in Hong Kong have stepped in with substantial financial and technical aid. The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) pledged HK$20 million through the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR. Beyond monetary assistance, the HKJC confirmed that the Sichuan University-Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction—originally established after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake—is actively assisting on-site operations. Additionally, an emergency medical team from the West China Hospital of Sichuan University, funded by HKJC’s Institute of Philanthropy, has deployed experienced clinicians to provide specialized trauma care in Gyirong.
Corporate donors have also added to the effort, with the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation and Sino Group jointly contributing 15 million yuan toward frontline rescue, victim resettlement, and long-term post-disaster reconstruction.
In Macao, Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai announced a 30 million yuan donation channeled through the Macao Foundation. Sam conveyed sympathy to the affected border communities, affirming that the Macao SAR government remains ready to supply additional medical supplies, personnel, and recovery aid as regional authorities assess the full scope of destruction along the frontier.