NPC Examines Use of Disaster Relief Funds
China's top legislative body, the National People's Congress (NPC), on July 6 examined last year's use of disaster relief funds and equipment.
In 1998, floods, droughts, earthquakes and other natural disasters hit China at a cost of 300.7 billion yuan (36.3 billion U.S. dollars), and resulted in 5,511 deaths, official figures showed.
In his report to the NPC Committee for Internal and Judicial Affairs, the Chinese Minister of Civil Affairs Doje Cering said that the government allocated a total of 8.33 billion yuan last year to fight disasters and help those in disaster-stricken areas.
In the meantime, the ministry, other government departments and social groups received donations worth a total of 7.259 billion yuan.
"A total of 374 million yuan worth came from Hong Kong, Macao and the province of Taiwan, and 472 million yuan worth from foreign governments, international organizations and various circles," Cering said.
In order that disaster relief funds and equipment is used efficiently and properly, the ministry reiterated all rules and regulations, putting special emphasis on distribution networks, and called for enhanced supervision and education of people in flood control work.
"Thanks to efforts on all sides, the basic needs of people in disaster-stricken areas had been met, and China's disaster relief achievements won recognition from around the world," Cering said.
Cao Zhi, vice-chairman of the NPC standing committee, said that though China was hit last year by the biggest floods rarely seen in its history, the country still maintained social stability and no widespread epidemic was reported.
"The civil affairs ministry and other related departments played a vital role in achieving all this," the vice-chairman said.
During the meeting today, Hou Zongbin, chairman of the NPC Committee for Internal and Judicial Affairs, briefed the participants on the committee's inspections of disaster relief work in five provinces and its review of the report delivered by the ministry.
"Despite some minor problems, people in the disaster-hit areas were generally satisfied with the work of the civil affairs departments," Hou said. (Xinhua)
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