International community continues to offer condolences, aid to quake-hit China

Source: Xinhua | 05-31-2008 09:01

BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- More countries and international organizations have sent messages of condolence and aid to China in view of the devastating quake in the country's southwestern Sichuan province on May 12, a Chinese Foreign Ministry press release said Friday.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Jose Angel Gurria Trevino, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Jakob Kellenberger and Director-General of the Universal Postal Union Edouard Dayan have recently offered condolences to China over the quake.

Meanwhile, the Barbadian Senate passed a resolution to mourn those killed in the quake, and offer condolences to the Chinese government and people.

Some 200 tents and 3000 blankets, and part of the medicine and milk powder pledged by Egypt have already arrived in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.

Hungary has provided 320,000 U.S. dollars worth of tents and water-purifying equipment to China, while Moldova has offered 100,000 dollars worth of humanitarian aid.

Belarus provided 25 tons of materials including 46 big tents, 200 rain-proof tents and some blankets, which have arrived in Chengdu, while Malta has donated 100 tents for those affected by the quake.

Also, Costa Rica has offered 150 tents and 500 blankets as quake relief, while Argentina has donated 70 tents.

Till midday Friday, 68,858 people were confirmed dead in the 8.0-magnitude earthquake, which had its epicenter in Sichuan's Wenchuan county. The number of injured has reached 366,586, while 18,618 people are reported missing.

Editor:Xiong Qu