The European Commission said Friday it was providing emergency relief worth 2 million euros (3.1 million dollars) to help the victims of China's destructive earthquake, according to dpa. "The 2 million euros released by the European Commission will contribute to bring vital items to the survivors of this terrible earthquake," said Louis Michel, the European Union executive's aid commissioner. Officials in Brussels said the funds would be used for tents and blankets, clean drinking water, food, jerry cans, kitchen sets and medical assistance. The funding is to be channelled through the International Red Cross Federation and other partner agencies experienced in relief operations. An EU humanitarian expert is currently in the earthquake zone and is co-operating with the Red Cross and the local authorities. More than 50,000 people are feared may have died in Monday's tremor, which registered 7.9 on the Richter scale.
