China's Red Cross donates 33 mln yuan to quake-hit Yunnan

BEIJING - The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) announced on Tuesday it has donated 33.36 million yuan (5.4 million US dollars) to the quake-ravaged areas of southwest China's Yunnan Province.

In addition to the donation, relief materials worth about 15 million yuan have been sent by the organization and will reach the affected areas in different batches, said Chen Qihong, a finance official at RCSC.

The materials include tents, cotton quilts, family essential packs, bed mats, blankets, amenity bags, rice, instant noodles, milk powder, water and medicine, Chen said.

All donations were sent within 24 hours after the earthquake, he said.

Also, according to Wang Ping, another RCSC official, more than 100 Red Cross relief workers are currently working at the quake-hit areas on different missions and more rescue personnel will be sent if needed.

Yao Lixin, the RCSC spokesman, pledged strict supervision and regular disclosure of the use of the donations.

The 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Yunnan's Ludian County on Sunday afternoon has left at least 410 people dead, 12 missing and more than 2,300 others injured.