19.05.2008, 09:49 6299

UN ready to render support to earthquake victims in China

UN ready to render support to earthquake victims in China

Almaty. May 19. Kazakhstan Today - The United Nations is ready to render support to victims of the earthquake in China. The press secretary of the UN Secretary General Michele Montas informed on Friday, the agency reports referring to the UN news center.

According to Chinese mass media, the earthquake took away the lives of about 20 thousand of people; however there are fears that the number of victims will exceed 50 thousand.

"It is a terrible tragedy and the Secretary General expresses his sincere sympathy and condolences to the victims and families of the dead. The United Nations Organization is ready to render any help that the Chinese government may need," the message of the UN Secretary General informs.

She reported that the UN coordinator in Beijing is in close contact with the Chinese authorities and already offered UN services and resources. The government of China has not officially requested support, but declared that it would welcome any practical help.

The UN establishments are ready at any moment to begin providing victims with food, construction materials, tents, water and medical care. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed its willingness to give the UN Central Fund grant to Peoples Republic of China provided in extraordinary situations.

In the interview to UN Radio Chinese permanent representative Van Guanya declared that his government is ready to discuss proposals on help in liquidation of the earthquake consequences. He noted that destroyed roads and disconnected communication today do not allow delivering international help to heavily affected regions.

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