The European Commission is providing emergency relief funding of €2 million to help victims of the huge earthquake that struck Sichuan province in China on Monday 12 May 2008.

The funds will be used to help meet the basic needs of the stricken population which include tents and blankets, clean drinking water, food, jerry cans, kitchen sets and medical assistance. The funding will be channelled through the International Red Cross Federation and other partner agencies experienced in relief operations. A Commission humanitarian expert is currently in the earthquake zone and is co-operating with the Red Cross and the local authorities.

Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said: "The EU stands by China in this hour of grief. We want to express our solidarity with the Chinese people not just in words but also in deeds. The € 2 million released by the European Commission will contribute to bring vital items to the survivors of this terrible earthquake".

The total number of confirmed dead rose to 34,073, and offers of help in the relief effort from home and abroad have now surpassed $860m (£440m/552 meuros), Chinese officials say.

The Cinese government have realses some facts and figures: Since the quake,

• 34,073 dead.
• 9,509 buried and 29,418 missing in Sichuan province.
• 220,109 injured.
• 145 aftershocks above level 4, 23 above level 5, biggest 6.1.
• 34,000 medical staff in quake zone.
• 181,460 tents, 220,000 quilts despatched.
• 6bn Chinese yuan ($860m, £440m) received in donations, from China and abroad.
• Drinking water for 7m people restored.