Speaking to Xinhuanet on May 21, China Red Cross spokesperson Wang Ping emphasized that all donations to its May 12 earthquake fund will be used to fund relief and rescue work.

Wang said China Red Cross and its local branches had received domestic and overseas donations totaling 3.029 billion yuan, in cash and supplies, to its May 12 fund, as of 18:00, May 20.

China Red Cross has already sent 18,510 tents worth 21.75 million yuan to the disaster area.

Wang said all donated funds will be used in accordance with the rules of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the laws of the People's Republic of China.

China Red Cross has directed its branches to allocate donations on the basis of the needs of disaster areas and donor instructions.

Regulations require China Red Cross to immediately allocate funds earmarked for emergency needs to disaster areas; while funds earmarked for reconstruction have to be securely deposited for future use.

Wang said Red Cross branches should regularly publish comprehensive lists of donations and attached conditions. They should open themselves up to scrutiny from the government, society and the media. Regular bulletins should be published, detailing progress of relief work. China Red Cross welcomes professional audits by the Audit Office and is happy for the department to publish its findings.

Wang emphasized that other projects and expenses will not be met by May 12 funds and, in particular, no May 12 funds will be used to fund salaries or staff expenses. China Red Cross salaries are funded by the financial sector according to official regulations, added Wang.

He said all branches of Red Cross will do their best to convey the love and compassion of their millions of donors' to victims of the earthquake, and will plunge themselves wholeheartedly into relief work.

(China.org.cn May 22, 2008)