US giving quake search, rescue equipment to China
WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - The United States is providing an additional $815,000 worth of earthquake aid to China, including search, rescue and recovery equipment, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.
The U.S. Agency for International Development also is sending a nine-person team to the quake-devastated areas of China to train local rescue workers on the use of the equipment, a statement from the agency said.
The new aid brings total U.S. assistance to China to $1.3 million following the quake in the mountainous Sichuan province last week, from which China says more than 70,000 people are dead or missing. The equipment is expected to arrive in Chengdu, Sichuan's provincial capital, on Wednesday.
"USAID will continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with the government of China in order to provide needed assistance to those affected by the earthquake," it said.
The new shipment will include saws, hand tools hydraulic gear, concrete cutters, generators and personal safety equipment.
On Sunday, two U.S. military planes arrived in Chengdu with food, tents and other aid, the first U.S. relief supplies to be airlifted in to China since the quake. Earlier, Washington had provided $500,000 in cash assistance to China through the Red Cross.
The United States has also provided China with satellite images of earthquake-stricken areas surrounding Chengdu to help find victims and identify damaged infrastructure. (Editing by Mohammad Zargham)
