RCSC denies allegations of quake toll-fee charges

The rumors alleging that the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) demanded heavy fees from workers from Taiwan to enter the quake-hit Sichuan Province in April were denied by Zhao Baige, the society's executive vice president.

Zhao said in an interview with Xinhua on Sunday that the organization did not ask for 5 million yuan ($816,395) from Taiwan's Red Cross organization as "tolls" for their entry into the quake-hit Lushan county, as some online rumors have claimed.

"The rumor has damaged the cooperation of Red Cross organizations across the Strait and hurt the feelings of people on both sides," Zhao said.

She said Taiwan's Red Cross organization delivered large amounts of tents, quilts, blankets and other supplies following the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that jolted the county on April 20, leaving at least 196 people dead and many others homeless.

The island's Red Cross also raised nearly 9 million yuan to be used in the reconstruction of residential buildings, schools and hospitals in the quake zone, Zhao added.

The organization has been battling public mistrust since Guo Meimei, a young woman who claimed to work for an organization affiliated to the society, posted photos online flaunting her wealth in mid-2011.

Xinhua - Global Times