The Dutch government has pledged to provide additional funding of 500,000 euros (786,000 dollars) to buy and transport tents for victims of the earthquake in China, the Dutch Foreign Ministry said Friday.

The money, which was provided in response to a special request by the Chinese government, will be transferred to the Dutch Red Cross, the ministry said in a press release on its website.

The funds are a supplement to the first contribution of 500,000euros pledged to the International Red Cross last week.

The Chinese government and the Chinese Red Cross announced that they need tents urgently and the United Nations has also referred to the shortage of tents in the affected area.

The Dutch Red Cross plans to procure some of the tents from the Netherlands and neighboring countries and the rest from Asia, the ministry said.

All of the goods provided will meet international standards.

(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2008)