The civil affairs and financial departments of local governments must publicize the sources of relief aid and other donations they receive for natural disasters, as well as how the contributions will be used, according to a regulation that takes effect on Sept 1.

The regulation on natural disasters relief, released by the central government last Wednesday, seeks to further standardize relief work in view of some areas having suffered severe losses in the past due to being insufficient prepared for, or improper handling, natural disasters, the State Council's Legislative Affairs Office said.

The new rule stipulates that local governments should take the initiative to publicize the relief aid and donations they receive and how they will be put to use.

The regulation also endeavors to supervise relief aid to minimize opportunities for it to be embezzled or defrauded, the statement said.

Relief aid and materials are to be used strictly for the relocation of disaster victims, the provision of daily necessities, medical treatment, the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and housing, and compensation to victims' families, according to the regulation.

The regulation further requires all local governments above and including the county level to formulate plans for dealing with natural disasters, such as the provision of transport, communication and emergency shelters, as well as the training of relief staff.

For cities and counties frequently hit by natural disasters, local governments should set aside reserves for coping in the event of a calamity.

If an impending disaster has been forecast, governments above the county level are responsible for making transitional arrangements, including issuing a warning to those at risk, opening emergency shelters and organizing the provision of daily necessities.

The regulation was issued following China having been struck by a rising number of disasters in recent years.

According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, over two decades an average of 4,300 perished each year in natural disasters.

Over the past five years, the central government annually allocated more than 5 billion yuan (($737 million)) for natural disaster relief.