Chinese had donated 4.2 billion yuan (US$615 million) in money and materials for quake-hit Yushu by Saturday, said a statement on the website of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The donations included 3.51 billion yuan, and quake-relief materials worth 681 million yuan.

The post said 604 million yuan, including 56 million yuan and materials worth 548 million yuan, had been channeled to the quake zone.

It said 68,130 cotton-padded tents, 118,027 cotton-padded coats, together with other quake-relief materials, had been delivered to Yushu.

At least 2,200 people died and more than 100,000 were left homeless when the 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province on April 14.

(Xinhua News Agency May 3, 2010)