China's central government has allocated a fund of 23.4 million yuan (about 2.82 million US dollars) to secure the basic living standards of people stricken by floods in southern China, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said on Monday.
During the period from May 15 to 17, consecutive torrential rains hit the six provinces and autonomous regions of Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi and Guizhou and severely affected the normal production and lives of local citizens.
In addition to the allocation, the ministry has also sent a batch of 400 tents to the worst-hit Hunan Province to help homeless victims find accommodation as soon as possible.
The ministry has set up hotlines to keep an around-the-clock contact with its local departments to gather relevant information and timely guide the disaster relief efforts.
According to the ministry, rescue work in the flood-hit areas is in full swing.
(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2003)
