China have allocated 5.48 billion yuan ($784.6 million) in central natural disaster relief funds to ensure a safe and warm winter for people affected by natural disasters.
China’s Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management have allocated 5.48 billion yuan ($784.6 million) in central natural disaster relief funds to ensure a safe and warm winter for people affected by natural disasters, according to a ministry announcement on Thursday.
According to the announcement, the two ministries directed relevant local government departments to actively distribute winter and spring relief work, release relief funds to those in need as soon as possible, and strengthen oversight of funds to prevent retention and misappropriation.
As November approached, the country experienced four cold waves that caused disasters and even fatalities in some areas due to intense cooling, wind, and widespread rain and snow. According to China Media Group, a blizzard in Altay city, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, caused casualties and killed some livestock.
According to the Ministry of Emergency Management, natural disasters in China in November were dominated by cold waves and snowstorms, as well as drought, with typhoons and earthquakes also occurring.
Natural disasters affected 35,000 people in November, with direct economic losses totaling 375 million yuan, according to the ministry.
In addition, on December 15, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs released a contingency plan for a scientific response to La Nina this winter and next spring in order to combat disasters, reduce losses, and stabilise agricultural production and supply.
According to the ministry, the La Nina event will continue into the winter, increasing weather uncertainty in the country and increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events such as rain, snow, freezing, drought, and flood disasters.
According to the plan, local governments have been urged to strengthen monitoring and early warning efforts, as well as take preventive measures against potential weather-related disasters.
When faced with unexpected natural disasters, China has always taken prompt action, from relief funds to emergency supplies, in order to alleviate the suffering of the affected people as soon as possible.
Droughts caused by high temperatures have plagued China’s southern region since July, posing serious challenges to autumn grain production.
On August 17, the two ministries allocated 420 million yuan of central natural disaster relief funds to support local flood and drought prevention efforts.
The Ministry of Emergency Management delivered anti-drought supplies and equipment worth 11.67 million yuan to Chongqing in southwest China, one of the country’s worst-affected areas, including 170 sets of water pumps and 60 sprinkler irrigation units.