FACTBOX: Earthquake aid for China

Fri May 16, 2008 10:08am EDT
 
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(Reuters) - The death toll from the most devastating earthquake to hit China in three decades is expected to rise to more than 50,000 in Sichuan province alone.

About 20,000 people were killed by the Monday tremor in southwest Sichuan, and rescue teams are racing to save another 25,000 people believed to be buried under debris.

Accepting offers of help from Japan and Taiwan on Thursday, Beijing has also welcomed rescue teams offered by South Korea, Singapore and Russia.

Here are some of the aid pledges to date:

CHINA:

- 3.41 billion yuan ($487 million) from central government; 1.34 billion yuan ($192 million) donated by public as of Thursday.

- Popular sportsman and Houston Rockets centre Yao Ming gave $214,000 and half a million yuan to the Red Cross Society of China.

- Hong Kong: HK$300 million ($38 million) from the government. HK$30 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

- Macau: 100 million yuan ($14.3 million) from the government and 10 million yuan from the Macau Foundation.

COUNTRIES AND REGIONS:

- Belgium: 650,000 euros ($1 million).

- Britain: 1 million pounds ($1.95 million).

- European Commission: 2 million euros ($3.10 million)

- France: Sending cargo plane loaded with material worth an estimated 250,000 euros (about $386,000).

- Germany: 500,000 euros (about $772,000).

- India: $5 million.  Continued...

 
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