All members of the United Grand Lodge of England are horrified at the scale of the human tragedy now unfolding in the vast area affected by the earthquake on Boxing Day, and our thoughts and sympathies are with those who have lost family, friends, property and even their livelihoods in this disaster. The Grand Charity has already responded on behalf of English Freemasonry with an immediate donation to the Red Cross of £100,000, and the situation is being closely monitored so that if a further donation is to be made in due course it may be directed where it is most needed.

Following an Emergency Meeting of the Benevolence Fund Corporation of the District Grand Lodge of Hong Kong and the Far East on 3rd January, the District has resolved to make a donation of HK$250,000 to the Hong Kong Red Cross South East Asia Relief Fund on behalf of all Freemasons of Hong Kong. In addition, the District Grand Master intends, on behalf of brethren of the English Constitution in Hong Kong and the Far East, to remit sums of US$10,000 from his Discretionary Fund to each of the District Grand Lodges of the Eastern Archipelago, Madras and Sri Lanka for them to use at their discretion to assist in the relief efforts in their respective Districts. He comments that these are but small expressions of the heartfelt sympathy which we in Hong Kong feel for the great tragedy which has befallen our neighbouring Districts.