New Zealand will donate 500,000 NZ dollars (US$380,000) to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) to assist victims of the Sichuan earthquake in China, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced on Friday.

"The full scale of this disaster is rapidly emerging, and it is important New Zealand does what it can to assist China to make the most effective response possible to this crisis," Peters said.

The Chinese government has reacted rapidly to the situation, but people in the earthquake-stricken areas will obviously require basic humanitarian supplies such as shelter, water and food in order to survive, he added.

"Utilizing Red Cross channels will ensure our help gets to those most in need, as quickly as possible," Peters said.

New Zealand's contribution will be made by the government's international aid agency, NZAID, via the New Zealand Red Cross.

Current figures suggest around 20,000 people have died, and 25, 000 remain buried following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake which struck on Monday. The Chinese government fears the toll could reach 50,000.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2008)