A non-government organization (NGO) has given more than 100 million yuan (about US$12.5 million) in aid to Tibet over the last nine years to help the Tibetans alleviate poverty.

The Aid for Tibet Development Foundation, a Tibetan charity group, said on Monday that the foundation has aided 295 programs in Tibet over the past nine years and benefited more than 13,000 Tibetan families.

Since 1997, the foundation has collected 80 million yuan (nearly US$10 million) for 105 medical care programs and more than 14 million yuan (some US$1.8 million) for 87 education programs. It has also organized charity events such as "Love Tibet, Support Tibet" to collect donations for Tibet's development, according to the foundation's work report.

The Aid for Tibet Development Foundation was established in 1992. As a non-government, non-profit organization, it aims to develop local economy, education, health, technology, etc. in Tibet and its neighboring provinces and make contacts with international friends and overseas Chinese to provide financial help for the area.

(Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2006)