SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNOUNCES $7 MILLION GRANT FROM EMERGENCY FUND TO HELP

MEET URGENT HUMANITARIAN NEEDS FOLLOWING CHINA’S EARTHQUAKE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is pleased to announce a grant of up to $7 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) following the earthquake that struck Sichuan, China, on 12 May 2008.  The grant will be used by United Nations agencies, funds and programmes to help meet the most urgent humanitarian requirements.

The United Nations stands ready to provide further support, as required, to the Government of China in its efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs caused by the disaster.

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For information media • not an official record