SOME 180 heavy tents and 6,000 blankets are to be sent by the Irish Government to Sichuan province in China to further assist with humanitarian efforts after last week's earthquake.
The tents will provide shelter for five people, said a spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and the total cost of the supplies is €113,000.
The tents and blankets are being dispatched by Ireland's Rapid Response initiative and follows the Government's pledge of €1 million in aid for the Chinese Red Cross. The emergency stocks are being held in the UN depot in Brindisi, Italy, and the Curragh camp in Ireland.
Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development Peter Power said the goods would form part of a special airlift for the city of Chengdu and was prompted by a request from the Chinese government.
"These stocks are being airlifted with similar stocks of relief supplies held by Norway, Malta and Austria in a joint UN/EU relief effort. They will be put to immediate use by people who have lost their homes and are in desperate need of shelter."
Meanwhile, a special appeal for donations, by Chinese associations and communities here, will be launched in Dublin's Mansion House today. All funds will be sent directly to the Red Cross.
The Irish Chinese Sichuan Earthquake Appeal Committee is planning to hold a minute's silence on Friday and will have a candle-lit vigil on Sunday from 7.30pm at Smithfield Square in Dublin.