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| Support flows in for China's SARS campaign |
| CCTV.COM 2003-05-15 09:05:04 |
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The disease, severe acute respiratory syndrome, has gained a toe－hold in China and continues to pose challenges for a number of the nation's centers, including the capital Beijing. But these are not isolated in their plight. Help, in cash and kind, has been flowing in from across the country and around the planet.
Since the China Red Cross Society opened the lines in its SARS campaign, the organization has received contributions worth 600 million yuan, or more than 70 million US dollars. The donations are recognition of the work being done by the nation's doctors and nurses.
"During the wartime, it is the soldiers who protect our lives. Now it is a war without smoke, it is these medical workers who protect our health. They deserved our highest respect," said Wang Zhenjun with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.
The endowments come from organizations and individuals from within the country and overseas. And that's just a small part of the huge amount of donations China has received so far.
The biggest amount has come from the German government, which donated X－ray machines and respiratory equipment worth 10 million euros. Japan and the United States have also contributed medical equipment and drugs.
"On behalf of the US government and people, I'd like to express my great sympathy to the families and their loved ones of China SARS victims," said Clark T. Randt, US ambassador to China.
Aid recipients have pledged to make sure the contributions are not wasted.
"The Red Cross Society of China will send these donations to the most needy people as soon as possible, and strictly supervise its usage," said Wang Lizhong, executive vice chairman of Red Cross Society of China.
The Chinese government has nominated specific departments as eligible to receive donations: the departments of public health and the civil affairs, the China Red Cross Society and the All－China Charity Federation.
The State Council requires all donations be used according to the contributor's wish. Each contribution must be recorded and a legal receipt issued.
With donations flowing in from various channels, guarding against corruption and misbehavior has appeared all the more important. Sound management and supervision of donations will be another test of the Chinese government's ability in handling emergencies as it deals with the SARS crisis.
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Editor: Han Ling CCTV.com
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