Civil servants and the business sector have established  funds to assist SARS victims' families.

Director of Social Welfare Carrie Lam said the We Care Education Fund has been set up to provide financial assistance to children who lost either or both parents to SARS.

Initiated by a group of civil servants, the Social Welfare Department will administer the fund and will allocate the money raised to eligible children. 

The department's social workers will identify and reach out to the eligible children and provide them with all the necessary support, Mrs Lam said.

A Hong Kong Bank account has been opened to collect public donations and the account number is 048-422299-001. Members of the public can also make donations by cheque.

For more details, please call the department's hotline at 2343 2255.

Meanwhile, the business sector has set up the Business Community Relief Fund for Victims of SARS offering death grants ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 to victims' families.

The fund will offer three-month maintenance fees ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 each month to eligible applicants who have financial difficulties after their recovery.

Applications should be made to the Social Welfare Department. Application forms can be downloaded from the department's website.