Foreign and Military Affairs

Foreign friends offer relief to Yushu victims

By Ai Yang (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-22 06:58

Beijing - Aid from across the world is flooding into Yushu, the epicenter of the violent earthquake that rocked Qinghai province last Wednesday.

Australia, New Zealand and Norway are among the latest countries that have sent money to support survivors, donating A$500,000 ($470,000), NZ$410,000 ($290,000) and 2 million kroner ($330,000) respectively.

"China has well-established disaster response systems and launched a prompt relief operation to help survivors in Qinghai, a remote and mountainous region," said Murray McCully, New Zealand's foreign minister. "As a close friend and partner, New Zealand wants to support efforts to provide emergency shelter, and to ensure medicine and food supplies reach those in need."

The funds will be spread between the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to support the work of Red Cross Society of China, he said.

The New Zealand embassy in Beijing also plans to send officials to Xining, capital of Qinghai province, this week.

Norway's donation will be channeled solely through the Red Cross Society of China, according to Erik Solheim, the country's environment and development minister, who praised the organization for its extensive experience with natural disasters.

Geoff Raby, Australian ambassador to China, said the money from his nation will be used to support local search and rescue teams, medical teams and emergency supplies, as well as to provide supplies through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The earthquake killed more than 2,000 people and injured 12,000 more. About 100,000 residents in the Tibetan autonomous prefecture have also been left homeless, said officials with the rescue headquarters.

Japan, South Korea, France, the United States, Norway, Thailand and New Zealand have offered funds totaling $3.955 million, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

"We welcome and sincerely appreciate the international community's concern and support," ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a press briefing in Beijing.

By Wednesday, more than 180 countries and international and regional organizations had extended sympathy to the Chinese government and people of Yushu. Some also expressed willingness to offer donations to the earthquake-hit area, said Jiang.

At the request of Chinese authorities, UNICEF will dispatch 5,000 sets of warm children's clothing, 150 school tents and 2,000 blankets. It is also preparing to supply 2,000 pairs of children's winter boots, 5,000 student kits and shoulder bags, 500 blackboards, ambulances, generators and medical equipment.

Meanwhile, more than 70 overseas Chinese embassies have organized fund-raisers to help Yushu.

Although China is open to international participation in disaster relief, local geographic conditions have created difficulties for rescue teams, said Huang Xueping, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense on Tuesday.

The mountainous terrain restricted many rescuers from entering the area, he said, before assuring that the current number was enough to handle the situation.

He thanked the international community for its help and suggested military departments donate funds to help rehabilitate the area.

China Daily

(China Daily 04/22/2010 page5)