Thousands of people in the provincial capital of Chengdu have gathered outside the city's volunteer recruitment station, hoping to contribute their part to the quake relief efforts.

Coming from all parts of China and from various professions, the volunteers say they all have the same goal, to give a helping hand to the quake victims.

"I came all the way from Taiwan. I first arrived in Chongqing and then took a bus here."

"I'm a retired veteran. After leaving the army, I'm studying medicine at the moment."

"We all want to go to Wenchuan, the place that is the most dangerous but needs us the most. Duty calls."

In other cities across China, people have been actively donating goods and money to help people affected by the deadly earthquake.

China's Ministry of Civil Affairs says China's domestic donations in cash and materials to the quake-hit areas have reached 1.3 billion yuan, less than 200 million US dollars, by Thursday.