Norway is providing NOK 20 million to earthquake victims in China

The Government is making NOK 20 million available for relief efforts following the earthquake in China.

Norway is engaged in close dialogue with the Chinese authorities following the terrible earthquake that struck the Sichuan province on Monday. The quake measured 7.8 on the Richter scale, and the death toll  is rising steadily.

“China is a country with the capacity and resources to handle major natural disasters like this. But we are willing to contribute equipment and expertise if China needs our help,” Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim commented.

It is still difficult to transport emergency aid and supplies to the areas that are hardest hit by the quake. According to the Chinese authorities it is not primarily a lack of food, water, tents or medicines that is hampering the relief efforts. They are now considering the need for international assistance.

“The situation in China stands in stark contrast to that in Burma. The authorities in China took immediate action to help the victims of the earthquake. Nevertheless, thousands of lives have been lost in the disaster due to the difficult conditions following the quake,” Mr Solheim said.

Norwegian money has already been used to provide relief. This has been channelled through the Norwegian Red Cross, which has cooperated with China’s Red Cross for a number of years, including in the areas affected by the quake.

“We are prepared to increase the Norwegian funding for this cooperation,” Mr Solheim commented.

Press contact: Information Adviser Hilde Klemetsdal, mobile phone: +47 91650528.