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| October 28, 2005 | Friday | Ramzan 23, 1426 |
China outlines programme for quake victims
MOSCOW, Oct 27: Describing relations between Pakistan and China as “all-weather friendship”, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday outlined a five-point programme to rescue and provide relief to the victims of Oct 8 earthquake.
During a meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in the Russian capital where they have come to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting, Mr Jiabao said: “We believe that Pakistani people will be able to overcome this catastrophe”.
He said China would do whatever was possible to help Pakistan in this very difficult period. He announced an additional grant-assistance of around US$14 million for quake victims, bringing the total of the money given by China to US$20 million.
The grant-assistance is in addition to relief goods comprising tents, blankets, medicines, food, and medical and relief teams sent earlier.
Mr Jiabao said a second medical team would arrive in Pakistan on Friday to provide treatment to thousands of the injured.
As part of its 5-point programme, China would send a fact-finding mission to assess the reconstruction and rehabilitation requirement in the quake-affected areas.
China will also help Pakistan in setting up a modern seismic centre in the country. Besides it will also help Pakistan train its people in coping with such calamities.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz thanked the Chinese premier for his support and said Pakistan was facing a unique and unprecedented situation. He briefed him about the extent of damage and how the government was coping with the tragedy.—APP
AFP ADDS FROM BEIJING: China said on Thursday it will nearly triple the amount of aid provided to Pakistan to help in relief efforts after the devastating earthquake, bringing the total to $20 million.
China has decided to add $13.8 million in cash and materials on top of $6.2 million dollars already provided, foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan told a briefing.
“We’re also considering helping them establish an earthquake forecasting and disaster review network. The Chinese government and people stand ready to offer further help.”
Kong made the announcement as he reported a meeting held earlier in the day in Moscow between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Pakistani counterpart Shaukat Aziz on the sidelines of a regional gathering.
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