The General Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, has
issued a circular calling for good administration of money and
materials donated for the prevention and control of severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS).
According to the circular, local governments and departments
concerned are instructed to set up an organized system to accept
donations.
Civil affairs and health departments, and the China Red Cross and
China Charity Federation are tasked with administering donations.
Other departments and social organizations are forbidden to accept
donations.
All donations are to be reported to the Ministry of Civil Affairs
which shall inform the State Council and the China National
Headquarters for the Prevention and Control of SARS.
The departments and organizations that accept donations are
required to regularly make public the distribution and use of
donated money and materials.
Departments concerned are asked to crack down on illegal activities
to collect donations and strengthen auditing and supervision over
the administration of donations.
The circular also calls on news media to play a supervisory
role.
(Xinhua News Agency May 5, 2003)