Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have entered into a partnership to support the recovery and reconstruction in the areas affected by the Wenchuan earthquake, a UNDP official said on Thursday.

A memorandum of understanding was signed Wednesday at the UN's Beijing office. The two parties will cooperate in the disaster recovery, especially within the framework of environmental performance, improving access to education and connecting rural communities.

NSN will first make a donation of 600,000 yuan (US$88,000), starting with supporting to rebuild Nanba Primary School in Pingwu County of southwest China's Sichuan Province, focusing on provision of teaching equipments, teacher training, psycho-social support and volunteer activities for teachers and students.

"This creative partnership will make possible the innovated interventions through multi-sectoral cooperation, by bringing together the development experience of UNDP, the commitment of the Chinese government, and innovative force of Nokia Siemens Networks." said Subinay Nandy, the UNDP China Country Director.

As a leading UN development agency in China, UNDP has responded to the earthquake immediately after the disaster by providing relief items. UNDP has also committed itself to support the recovery, reconstruction and longer run development work, he said. "The memorandum marked another milestone of public-private partnership."

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2008)