BEIJING, Aug. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The United Nations system in China today welcomed contributions from the international community totaling some US$15 million in response to the UN Appeal to assist thousands of survivors of the devastating Wenchuan earthquake in rebuilding their lives.
(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/20061107113358-34.jpg )
Contributions of nearly US$11 million came from commitments pledged by the Governments of Canada (7 million Canadian dollars), Norway (US$1.5 million) and Saudi Arabia (US$1.5 million), Belgium (Euros 500,000) plus the European Union (Euros 300,000). The UN has mobilized another US$4 million from its own resources and private donors.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's contribution marks a first step in donating to the UN system in China. The European Union and several countries also expressed interest in working with the United Nations to assist the longer term reconstruction efforts.
These funds will support the needs of the most vulnerable survivors living in remote areas hit by the earthquake who have received basic assistance but require much more comprehensive aid over the next six months as reconstruction gets fully underway and before winter sets in.
"We are very grateful for the contributions of the four nations and the European Union. By joining forces with the Untied Nations on the Appeal, they will help the survivors of the earthquake recover their livelihoods, return to school and have more sustainable access to health care and better living conditions," said Khalid Malik, the UN Resident Coordinator in China.
Malik stressed, however, that more remains to be done in raising support for the Appeal. "We have emphasized from the beginning that the needs are simply tremendous. We very much hope that these contributions will mark the beginning -- a first step -- of increased support for the Appeal from the international community," he added.
The US$33.5 million UN China Appeal for the Wenchuan Earthquake Early Recovery Support was launched on 16 July. It is designed to bridge the phases of immediate relief assistance with the longer term process of reconstruction.
Several sectors of the Appeal, focusing in particular on livelihoods; health, nutrition and HIV/AIDS; ethnic minorities; protection of vulnerable groups and the environment require additional financing.
The UN Appeal is part of the UN's overall efforts to assist the people and communities affected in Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. The UN system in China has already delivered over US$18 million in emergency relief to the affected populations in Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces, and has begun working closely with the Government of China and the international community to assist in the reconstruction efforts.