China had received 10.834 billion yuan($1.548 billion) in cash and goods from donors at home and abroad as of 1 p.m. on May 19, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The government will make timely delivery of domestic and international donations to quake-hit zones.

Pang Chenmin, deputy director in charge of disaster relief with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, said: "We are deeply moved that so many people are warm-hearted enough to donate for the quake-hit regions."  All donated supplies including rescue machinery, medicine, medical equipment, food and water are being dispatched to the disaster-stricken areas in a timely manner, he said.  "All the government and non-government organizations dealing with the donations must quickly and transparently deliver donations to quake-hit regions and all the donations must be reported to the public every day through the media."

The National Audit Office said here on Friday that it would audit the use of cash and goods for quake disaster regions, to ensure resources were strictly managed and used in a proper and timely manner.

Thanking the international community for its help, Pang said: "We express our sincere gratitude for their contribution."

To ensure that relief materials and donations are distributed efficiently, the ministries of Civil Affairs and Foreign Affairs have cooperated to set up a fast-track to carry supplies from home and abroad both to the quake-hit areas.

A green channel has been created at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, where all foreign relief materials are being collected, to offer a 24-hour distribution network.

Foreign relief materials can pass Customs checks in no time and be dispatched to the quake-hit areas, according to Sheng Guangzu, minister of China Customs.

Since the quake hit Sichuan province, some 113,080 Chinese soldiers and armed police have been mobilized to help with rescue operations. Rescue teams from Russia, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Singapore, as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong regions, have also joined in relief efforts. By May 24, 500 more health and epidemic prevention workers would be sent each day to the quake areas, and 1,000 health supervisors would be deployed.

By midnight of May 19, up to 360,159 people trapped during the quake had been rescued and transported to safe areas, among them 6,375 were excavated from rubble left behind by the quake. The Ministry of Civil Affairs have allocated 278,462 tents, 783,984 quilts and 1.78 million cotton-padded clothes to the quake zones by 1 p.m. May 20.

Source: Xinhua / China Daily