SA sends aid to China
Michael Appel
2 June 2008
South Africa has contributed R1.5-million to the International Red Cross to help relief efforts in China, following the earthquake that struck the country's Sichuan province in early May.
"We ourselves have always received support from the international community when we've had our own humanitarian or crisis situations," said Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad in Pretoria last week.
"So on behalf of the South African government I'm very pleased to hand over this cheque [for R1.5-million] to help relief efforts in China."
An earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck the Sichuan province of China on 12 May, destroying entire towns and villages, killing thousands and displacing millions of people.
"We are pleased to receive this amount of money which will go toward supporting our efforts in China," said International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies country representative Seija Tyrninoska.
"The Chinese authorities responded well to the disaster and it is our duty [as the Red Cross] to support China's activities, and we will continue with our support for as long as they need it."
Moving gesture
China's Ambassador to South Africa Zhong Jianhua said the gesture was a moving one and that it would go a long way in helping the people affected by the disaster.
Zhong said it had become evident that much could be achieved with the help of the global community and thanked South Africa and international aid organisations for their continued support to China.
The death toll from the massive quake rose to 32 476 nationwide as of 2pm on 18 May, while the injured numbered 220 109, according to China's emergency response office.
Among the dead, 31 978 were in the Sichuan province alone with the rest in six other provinces and a municipality.
Some 113 080 Chinese soldiers and armed police have been mobilised to help with rescue operations, while rescue teams from Russia, Korea, Japan and Singapore, as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong have also joined in relief efforts.
Source: BuaNews
