China to appeal for int'l donations to help flood victims
( 2003-07-18 09:47) (Xinhua)
The China Red Cross Society will appeal to the international community for
disaster relief assistance for millions of flood victims in east China's Anhui
Province, said Sun Aiming, vice chairman of the society, in a meeting with
Governor Wang Jinshan Thursday.
The official has been leading a delegation from the International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC) since Tuesday to assess the flood situation in the
province. The team includes tworepresentatives from the international
organization, Thorir Gudmundsson and Niels Juel.
Sun praised the local government's efforts to relieve flood victims and
pledged that Chinese society will spare no efforts to assist the province and
will also appeal for international donations for local flood victims.
Niels, who has been working for the International Red Cross (ICRC)for seven
years, said Anhui's flood situation is the worst hehas ever seen. "I am deeply
impressed by the local government's ability to cope with disasters," he said.
Anhui has been experiencing severe floods since late June. As of July 16, the
flooding had killed 17 people and affected 27 million, and generated 14.73
billion yuan (about 1.78 billion US dollars) in financial losses to the
province.
The governor says the flood situation is worsening and that thework of
rebuilding will be difficult.
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