Washington, May 16: The American Red Cross (ARC) has donated $10 million for disaster relief work in China's earthquake-hit southwestern province of Sichuan, the organisation said.

In a statement, the ARC said the contribution would assist the Red Cross Society of China, whose employees and volunteers have been helping survivors since the earthquake struck Monday.

"We have already seen a great outpouring of concern and support from across the US for those whose lives were shattered by this disaster," said David Meltzer, senior vice president of the ARC's International Services.

"We are working closely with our international partners, including the Chinese Red Cross, to provide vital assistance to those in need," he said.

The ARC said the Chinese Red Cross "is a very strong organisation with extensive experience responding to disasters in China" that has a long history of working in partnership with ARC.

The ARC will continue to weigh additional support options, which may include additional financial support, relief supplies, expertise, as the full picture of the disaster becomes clear.

As of Thursday, the confirmed death toll in the earthquake was 19,509 in Sichuan province alone and more than 50,000 people are feared dead.

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