On April 20, 2010, the Royal Norwegian Foreign Ministry announced that the Norwegian Government would donate 2 million kroner through the China Red Cross to the Chinese Government for the earthquake relief work in Qinghai. Minister Erik Solheim of the Environment and International Development said that he was deeply saddened that China had once again been hit by an earthquake and it was now crucial that the emergency relief reached those affected. He also said that the Chinese Red Cross had considerable experience of dealing with natural disasters and was assisting the Chinese authorities in the rescue efforts.