ISLAMABAD, May 16: The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on Friday handed over $50,000 to Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui for the earthquake-affected people of China.

Speaking on the occasion, the ambassador thanked the society for its support and said the help reflected that the Pakistani nation stood with the Chinese people in this hour of need.

PRCS acting chairman Gul Hanif expressed sympathy with the government and people of China, particularly with the bereaved families and victims of the recent earthquake in Chengdu region.

He said though this was a small amount but we hope that it would contribute towards the overall efforts of the Red Cross Society of China in alleviating the sufferings of the affected people.

PRCS secretary general Mohammad Ilyas Khan said the Chinese Red Cross had provided a cash assistance of $100,000 during the October 8 earthquake and Rs1,186,960 for rains and affected people in Pakistan in 2005.

He said CRC was assisting the PRCS in reconstruction projects worth $1 million that included construction of girls high school No. 2, Mansehra, and vocational training centres, Hattian Dupatta and Lamnian in AJK.—APP