China's Red Cross provides assistance in cash to quake-hit Afghanistan

The Red Cross Society of China on Wednesday donated 100,000 U.S. dollars to the Afghan Red Crescent Society as emergency assistance to help the earthquake-hit nation alleviate its sufferings.

Yao Jing, Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan, handed over the cash to the Afghan side on behalf of China's Red Cross.

During the handover ceremony, the Chinese ambassador said China and Afghanistan have long been good friends and peaceful neighbors, and the Chinese people empathize with the people of Afghanistan over the devastating quake.

"As a friend and neighbor, China has the responsibility to help Afghanistan at this difficult moment," Yao said.

"China has strong confidence in the ability of the Afghan government and people in carrying out disaster rescue and relief works. We also strongly believe that Afghan people will rebuild their homes in the post-disaster period," he added.

Mohammad Naim Dindar, secretary general of the Afghan Red Crescent Society, expressed his gratitude to the Chinese Red Cross Society, saying China is always a reliable friend and neighbor of Afghanistan.

During an exclusive interview with Xinhua after the ceremony, Yao reiterated that the Chinese government has announced disaster relief worth 10 million yuan, or 1.57 million U.S. dollars to Afghanistan.

"The emergency disaster relief may include goods the Afghan victims urgently need, such as tents, food, blanket, clean water and medicine. I believe these relief supplies would reach the victims very soon," the ambassador said.

The death toll in Afghanistan of Monday's 7.5-magnitude earthquake has risen to 115 with 538 injured. Around 7,600 houses had been damaged during the disaster. Enditem