Millions in quake aid pouring into China

BEIJING, May 14 (UPI) -- Aid poured into China Wednesday in the aftermath of a massive earthquake that left upward of 15,000 people dead, government officials said.

The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs said $86.4 million had been raised as of late afternoon and the Red Cross Society of China and the China Charity Federation said they had each received $17.2 million in public donations, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The quake struck Monday afternoon and was centered in Wenchuan county in Sichuan province in southwestern China.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Tuesday the United States has sent $500,000 in aid and will consider further assistance even though the Chinese haven't put in a formal request. She noted Peace Corps headquarters is in the stricken province.