Red Cross Pools Relief for Disaster Areas

The Red Cross Society of China plans to collect RMB$5 million (about US$600,000) in cash and kind for people hit by serious natural disasters this year.

The disaster relief materials and cash will be handed over before the Spring Festival, which falls on January 24, "China Daily" reported.

Priority will be given to eight worst-hit regions, including the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the provinces of Gansu, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Liaoning and Hainan, and Chongqing Municipality.

The charity organization has called upon people from all walks of life to show their love and concern for disaster victims by donating whatever possible so that they can have a happy and comfortable Spring Festival, one of the most important traditional festivals in China.

Data from the organization revealed that 29 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions were attacked by various natural disasters such as floods, droughts and earthquakes this year, affecting 170 million people.

The Red Cross Society of China has already collected and distributed 7.7 million yuan of disaster relief materials such as grain, medicines and clothes for people in 21 provinces. Its branches at various levels also organized disaster rescue and relief work immediately after the disasters occurred.






People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/