Thursday, August 24, 2000, updated at 09:09(GMT+8)
China
China's Drought Relief Efforts Save 48 Billion Yuan
China's strong drought-relief efforts have resolved water problem for nearly 10 million people and over 6 million livestock, saving economic losses by 48 billion yuan, government sources said.
Since this spring, most parts of China have been ravaged by the worst drought in two decades. Statistics indicate that by August 18, more than 30 million hectares of farmland had been affected and over 35 million people faced water shortages.
China has spent nearly 5 billion yuan to reduce losses caused by the drought, and more than 30 million people have taken part in drought-relief efforts.
Meanwhile, the country's water conservancy facilities, artificial precipitation efforts and water-saving techniques have also helped ease the losses resulting from the drought, according to the sources with the country's Headquarters of Flood Control and Drought-Relief.
China's strong drought-relief efforts have resolved water problem for nearly 10 million people and over 6 million livestock, saving economic losses by 48 billion yuan, government sources said.