Rescue & Aid
Taiwan, HK, Macao offer aid
By Xie Yu (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-16 07:43
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Beijing - Help from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao is ready to support rescue and relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Yushu of Northwest China's Qinghai province.
Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou on Thursday sent his condolences to the people in Yushu on Tuesday.
The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), the semi-official intermediary body set up to deal with mainland and Taiwan exchanges in the absence of official ties between the two sides, sent a letter of condolence to the mainland on Wednesday.
A 23-member rescue team has been formed by members of Taiwan's firefighting department.
Maa Shaw-chang, spokesman of the SEF, told China Daily via phone that the team is well prepared and will set out for Qinghai as soon as the mainland makes a request.
The team leader, surnamed Jiang, told China Daily via phone that while they lack experience working in regions with high altitude and low temperature, the team had participated in earthquake rescue missions under many different circumstances including Haiti and Indonesia, and they will bring medical experts with them if they head for Qinghai.
The mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, SEF's counterpart, sent a letter of thanks to the SEF on Thursday, and said the rescue force is currently sufficient. It would contact the SEF at once if there is any need.
The Red Cross Society of Taiwan also said it had been in contact with the mainland's Red Cross and was ready to set off for the earthquake-hit region to provide support and assistance.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Chief Secretary Tang Ying-yen on Thursday sent condolences to the earthquake hit region. The Red Cross Society of Hong Kong has allocated 200,000 yuan ($29,300) to buy tents, cotton quilts, cloths and food for Yushu.
The Macao Red Cross Society has also allocated more than 250,000 yuan to support disaster relief in Qinghai.
China Daily
