China's Red Cross societies arrange more than 2 billion yuan donation for reconstruction in Yushu

The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) said on its website Wednesday that the country's Red Cross societies have received cash and materials donations equal to 2.32 billion yuan (about 342 million U.S. dollars) by Aug.17 for disaster relief efforts in quake-hit Yushu of northwest China's Qinghai Province.

The RCSC said so far, donations in cash and materials equivalent to 2.12 billion yuan had been delivered for reconstruction projects in Yushu, including 18.78 million yuan in cash and material donations being spent on emergency aid and rescue efforts in the quake-hit area, according to a statement on the RCSC's website.

To carry out reconstruction plans for Yushu, the RCSC would provide 2.3 billion yuan donations as a fund for rebuilding hospitals, schools and farmers'houses there, including 200 million yuan donations received by Qinghai provincial Red Cross society, said the statement.

A 7.1-magnitude quake struck Yushu April 14 and left 2,698 people dead and 270 more missing. The quake's epicenter was Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Source: Xinhua