China's Red Cross on Monday donated US$30,000 to Albania to support relief work in the country's flooded northwestern region.

After being notified about widespread flooding in northwest Albania, the Chinese Red Cross decided to extend a helping hand to the victims, Chinese Ambassador to Albania Wang Junling said.

The money embodies China-Albania friendship, Wang said at a donation ceremony in the Chinese embassy in Tirana.

He expressed the hope that the donation could help with the relief and reconstruction work in the flooded area.

Shyqyri Subashi, president of the Albanian Red Cross, thanked the Chinese government and the Chinese Red Cross for the donation, saying it would be a big help to the relief and reconstruction work, and also an encouragement to the people in the flood-hit region.

The floods, caused by heavy rainfall, have forced about 5,000 people to flee their homes.

Government statistics show that some 10,000 hectares of farmland and 2,400 houses have been flooded.

(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2010)