People from all circles of Chinese society have donated a total
of 1.16 billion yuan (about 155 million U.S. dollars) to the areas
stricken by snow and rain havoc, announced the Ministry of Civil
Affairs on Sunday.
By 18:00 Sunday, the ministry had received 85.8 million yuan
(about 11.4 U.S. dollars) of direct donation for those areas, China
Red Cross Association and its branch organizations received 136
million yuan (about 18 million U.S. dollars) in donations, and the
rest was received by the China Charity Federation and the
provincial governments of the seven most seriously stricken
areas.
China's eastern, central and southern regions have suffered from
prolonged snow, rain and since mid-January, leaving at least 80
people dead and 100 million people affected in 19 provinces,
municipalities and autonomous regions.
(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2008)