An Israeli aid shipment reached China on Thursday, several days after a major earthquake killed at least 51,000 in the Sichuan region. The shipment included sleeping bags, blankets, and 800 personal water purifiers.
A second shipment will arrive in China on Sunday with $1.5 million worth of equipment and aid. The aid will be distributed among provinces hurt in the quake. Israeli officials in China will also provide a special aid package to villagers who assisted two wounded Israeli students.
Chinese officials requested international assistance for quake survivors on Thursday, with an emphasis on those who lost their homes. The country needs another 3.3 million tents to house the homeless, officials said. In addition, 29,000 people remain missing following the quake, and 300,000 have suffered injuries.