The five regions are Shaanxi, Sichuan, Hubei, Guizhou provinces and Chongqing Municipality.

So far, the CRCS has given 150,000 yuan and 50 tents to the disaster-stricken regions. The Hong Kong Red Cross Society (HKRCS) also donated 200,000 yuan to Shasnxi and Sichuan, and delivered 9,000 items of clothing and 50 sleeping bags worth 200,000 HK dollars to Sichuan.

The CRCS at provincial level has started collecting donations, with a telephone hotline -- 86-10-65139999 -- set up for contributions.

A Red Cross team has been sent to the disaster-hit areas, with officials from the CRCS, HKRCS and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The CRCS will also ask for help from international red cross organizations at the appropriate time.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2002)