By KUNA,
Tokyo : The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Tuesday it is extending a USD one million technical assistance grant to China to assist in aid efforts following the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the country’ Sichuan Province two weeks ago.
“The assistance will fund the purchasing of essential equipment and supplies for basic services, review the disaster management framework for the quake area, and conduct a preliminary damage and needs assessment of the physical and social infrastructure,” the ADB said in a press release.
The total cost of the assistance is estimated at USD 1.25 million equivalent, with the Chinese government contributing USD 250,000 equivalent to cover the additional costs, the Manila-based bank said.
It will emphasize quick action to protect the poor, children, vulnerable, and other at-risk groups.
The May 12 earthquake in southwestern China was the worst natural disaster to strike the nation in the past 30 years, killing more than 65,000 people and leaving millions homeless.
The disaster has exacerbated poverty and vulnerability in Sichuan province, which is a relatively poor area in the country.
The ADB is a multilateral development finance institution dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific. Established in 1966, it has now owned by 67 members, mostly from the region, as well as the US, the UK and Germany.