The Church has donated $25,600 (200,000 Hong Kong dollars) to China to aid flood victims in southern and eastern China, areas devastated by some of the worst flooding to hit the country this century.

Elder Merlin R. Lybbert, a member of the Seventy and president of the Asia Area, presented the money to Chinese officials in a July 30 meeting.The donation was presented to Han Xu, former ambassador to the United States and the president of the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Li Zhengyi, deputy secretary general of the China Association for Disaster Prevention and Relief.

The money will be used exclusively for medical supplies. It was presented on behalf of the Church and particularly on behalf of the Chinese members of the Church in Hong Kong and Taiwan who have roots in China, Elder Lybbert commented.

Elder Lybbert said that Han reported the present flooding is the worst that China has experienced in more than 100 years. Tens of millions of people have been left homeless. The losses to homes and farmland have been put at $7 billion.

According to an Associated Press story, about 1,700 people have been killed by the flooding, which began in June. Nearly two months of heavy rains have caused the Upper Yangtze River and the Huai River to overflow their banks.

"The concern of the people," Elder Lybbert remarked, "is to find some way to eat and live day by day. This gift, if it could supply medicine for one little village, will make a difference."

In his presentation, Elder Lybbert told the Chinese leaders that "the religious teachings of the Church teach us that all men and women on earth are brothers and sisters. In that setting, we feel a concern for other people." He said the Church wanted to assist the suffering people in China who have been devastated by floods.

Tim Stratford, a member of the Church who works with the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, assisted in making arrangements for Elder Lybbert to meet with the Chinese officials.

"I couldn't have been treated more graciously," Elder Lybbert remarked. "One thing I have learned about the Chinese people is that they are very sensitive people.

"Ambassador Han was very gracious in his comments and asked me to convey his deep thanks to the leaders of the Church. He was somewhat familiar with the tenets of the Church. When they served tea, he told the young lady we did not drink tea and asked her to bring another beverage."

In a letter sent to Church officials, the China Association for Disaster Prevention and Relief thanked the Church for the donation, saying, "At this perilous moment, stretching out a helpful hand . . . to help the victims to tide over difficulties. On behalf of the people in the disaster areas, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to you."

Following the presentation, the donation became national news in China when the central China television station reported that a gift had been made to flood victims by the Church.