The Chinese government has given 4billion yuan (US$482 million) in natural disaster relief fund in 2003, according to the State Development and Reform Commission.

The money was used to help 19 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

The commission worked with the Ministry of Water Resources to allocate 1.8 billion yuan (US$217 million) to rebuild or reinforce water and flood control facilities. Another 2 billion yuan (US$241 million) was given to build houses for people who were displaced to make way for flood-storage areas along major rivers like the Yellow River and the Huaihe River.

The commission offered 300 million yuan (US$6 million) to rebuild schools in disaster-hit areas, accommodating 300,000 children in classrooms.

It gave 100 million yuan (US$12 million) for medical facilities in about 500 towns, 120 million yuan (US$14 million) for water supply programs in 260 towns and 200 million yuan (US$24 million) for roads that had been damaged by natural disasters.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2003)