Chinese official to help relief work in Philippines

BEIJING - The Red Cross Society of China will send an official to join an international expert panel in assessing the disaster situation and guiding relief work in the Philippines, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Monday.

The dispatch is at the invitation of the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent, Qin said at a regular news briefing.

Humanitarian aid provided by the Chinese government, including tents and blankets, will arrive in the typhoon-struck area of the Philippines on Monday and Tuesday, Qin said.

Rescue and medical teams are ready to depart, including teams sent by the Chinese government and non-governmental missions affiliated with the Red Cross Society of China, Qin said.

The spokesman said the teams will leave for the Philippines immediately once conditions permit.

The death toll from Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines rose to 3,974 on Sunday, after the strongest storm this year ravaged the central part of the country on November 8.