The European Commission announced on Friday that it will provide emergency relief funding of 2 million euros (US$3.1 million) to help earthquake victims in China.

"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," said Louis Michel, European Union (EU) commissioner for development and humanitarian aid.

The funds will be used to help meet the basic needs of the victims, which include tents and blankets, clean drinking water, food, jerry cans, kitchen sets and medical assistance, said the commission, the executive body of the EU.

The money will be channeled through the International Red Cross Federation and other partner agencies, it said.

The EU is sending a team of experts to China on Saturday to help coordinate expert and material assistance from EU member states, said the commission.

A commission humanitarian expert is already in the earthquake zone and is cooperating with the Red Cross and the local authorities.

"No country should have to face such suffering on its own, and we are doing all that we can to help people deal with the consequences of the emergency," said Stavros Dimas, EU commissioner for environment and civil protection.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2008)