UN humanitarian chief lauds Chinese gov't for continued efforts to aid mudslides victims

UN humanitarian chief John Holmes on Friday voiced his condolences for the loss of life and destruction in the wake of the deadly mudslides in northwestern China and commended continued relief efforts by the Chinese government to assist the victims.

Holmes, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, made the statement in his letter to Li Baodong, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations.

"I would like to express my condolences to you and to the people of China for the loss of life and for the destruction caused by the landslides that have recently affected Gansu Province" in northwest China, Holmes said in the letter.

"I commend the continued efforts undertaken by your government to assist those affected by this disaster and the resources made available for the relief effort," Holmes told Li in the letter. "I wish to assure you that the United Nations stands ready to provide further assistance, if required by your government."

The death toll from the massive mudslide in Gansu Province has risen to 1,156 as of 4 p.m. on Friday, with 588 still missing, local authorities said.

In late July, Holmes, in a separate letter to Li, expressed his condolence to the Chinese people for the loss of life and destruction caused by the floods that have recently affected provinces in the southern part of China.

Source: Xinhua