U.N. To Release $7 Million For Victims Of Chinese Quake

New York, NY (AHN) - The United Nations will release $7 million to support relief efforts in the aftermath of Monday's massive earthquake in China.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the grant will be used by U.N. agencies, funds and programs to assist with relief efforts.

"The United Nations stands ready to provide further support, as required, to the Government of China in its efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs caused by the disaster," the U.N. chief said in a press statement.

Some 22,000 people have lost their lives in the devastating tremors, which reached about 7.9 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the temblor was in Sichuan province, which has a total population of some 90 million, according to reports.

China has welcomed global assistance, having identified tents and body bags, along with medicine, ready-to-eat meals, blankets, clothes, flashlights, among other items, as the most urgently-needed supplies.