United Nations, March 11 India has announced a cash contribution of $5 million for relief and rehabilitation in Chile in a show of solidarity with the people of the earthquake-hit country.

"As a country familiar with the consequences of natural disasters, we fully understand the trauma and suffering that our Chilean brethren are living through," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri said here on Wednesday.

Speaking at an informal meeting of the plenary of the United Nations General Assembly for a briefing by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, he said immediately on hearing the news of the February 27 earthquake, the Indian government initiated measures to show solidarity with the people of Chile.

Last week, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh conveyed to the Chilean president, Dr. Michelle Bachelet, that India would be making a modest cash contribution of US$ 5 million for relief and rehabilitation work following the earthquake, Puri said.

Conveying India's sincere condolences to the family members of those who have lost their lives and its sympathy and support for the injured, he said:

"We have no doubt that the people of Chile have the strength and resilience to overcome this natural disaster."

Appreciating the leadership displayed by Ban in coordinating the UN's response to the Chilean earthquake, Puri said: "This is truly commendable."