BUJUMBURA, Feb. 19 -- The Chinese government has donated 100,000 U.S. dollars to the Burundi Red Cross to support victims of torrential rains that left at least 69 people dead in the country's capital, Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Yu Xuzhong said.

"This is a sign of solidarity from the Chinese government to support victims of the flooding. We are convinced that the victims need urgent assistance," the ambassador said on the donation ceremony on Tuesday.

Burundi Red Cross President Pamphile Kantabazi thanked China for the assistance and stressed that the support will help the rain victims "overcome the humanitarian crisis" that they are currently facing.

On Feb. 9, torrential rains that hit villages overlooking the capital Bujumbura and some suburbs in the north of Bujumbura Municipality killed 69 persons, injured hundreds others and destroyed at least 1,000 houses, leaving more than 12,500 persons homeless, according to the Burundi Red Cross.

The worst-hit neighborhoods included Gatunguru, Buterere, Kinama, Carama and Ngagara.

The flooding victims still live in camps where they have been regrouped.

Meteorologists say rain forecasts show that heavy rainfalls are expected in the Municipality of Bujumbura and its surroundings until the end of February.