Hubei steps up snow disaster relief

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-04-2008 09:11

In central China's Hubei Province, government authorities at all levels have spared no efforts in bringing relief to regions hard hit by snow.

Millions in emergency funds have been allocated; supplies of winter clothes, tents and other materials are being delivered in a timely manner.

Millions in emergency funds have been allocated; supplies of winter clothes, tents and other materials are being delivered in a timely manner. Donations are also coming in from all sectors of society, reflecting a united public effort.

This office at the Hubei Provincial Bureau of Civil Affairs is packed with officials. The agenda is the details of relief operations and arrangement for donations. The deputy director found a few moments to tell us what the national and local level governments are doing for public relief efforts in Hubei.

Wen Zengxian, deputy director of Hubei Provincial Bureau of Civil Affairs, said, "The central government has allocated 42-million yuan for relief work in Hubei. The provincial government is also allocating 50-million yuan. All the relief money and material have been given to people affected by the snow."

Besides its own 22-million people suffering from the severe weather, Hubei is also considering the well-being of people elsewhere. Relief work in Southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has come under pressure, and Wuhan has offered to help transport a batch of relief materials as soon as possible.

Deng Dakun, head of Disaster Relief Work Office, said, "We will send material to Guangxi once we have finished our own relief work. I think the truck loading can start this afternoon. Guangxi will receive this by tomorrow afternoon."

China's leading financial institutions, state-owned enterprises, companies, organizations and individuals have also been very active in making contributions. So far, the Civil Affairs Bureau has received non-governmental donations valued at over 15 million yuan, about 2 million dollars.

Responding to the call for united efforts, government officials, entrepreneurs and people from the cultural industry will take part in the gala. TV hosts and troupes have volunteered to put on the show.

The gala is expected to raise donations valued at over 10 million yuan.

Editor:Zhang Ning