China has set aside 300 million yuan (US$37 million) for
quake-hit areas in east China's Jiangxi Province, a central
government official said Thursday.
"This is one of the largest sum of allocations provided by the
central government for a disaster-hit area in recent years," said
Wang Zhenyao, director of Disaster Relief Department under the
Ministry of Civil Affairs, at a press conference held in Beijing
Thursday.
An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale hit Jiujiang
and Ruichang cities in Jiangxi Province on November 26 last year,
killing 13 people and destroying many buildings. The central
government immediately sent 100 million yuan (US$12.5 million) to
the area for disaster relief.
On the eve of the New Year, Premier Wen
Jiabao visited quake-hit areas and promised another 200 million
yuan (US$25 million) from the central government for after-quake
reconstructions.
"The quality of the houses must be ensured," Wen said during the
visit, asking local government to give priority to rebuilding the
campus.
The quake has caused about 3 billion yuan (US$370.37 million) of
economic losses and left about 100,000 people homeless. The
municipal government appealed for more financial support when
rebuilding residences and shelters to help the massive number of
homeless get through the winter.
(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2006)
