Cabinet homes in on quake funds

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-6-17  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

CHINA'S State Council, or Cabinet, said yesterday that rebuilding homes is the first priority for earthquake-relief donations as it takes steps to safeguard the handling of the billions of yuan given.

The State Council's guide on the use of quake-relief funds aims to ensure a standard, transparent and efficient management of the increasing amount of relief funds which has reached 53.86 billion yuan (US$7.8 billion).

The funds should be used in rebuilding houses first, then in restoring public facilities such as schools, hospitals and social-welfare services, as well as in helping the poor, the disabled, the elderly and orphans and rebuilding infrastructure such as village roads and bridges.

The guide said the use of donations and special Party dues should be arranged by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Charity groups, such as the Red Cross Society of China and the China Charity Federation, should discuss the use of relief funds with provincial governments receiving aid in line with the country's post-earthquake reconstruction regulation.

Relief funds received by Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi and Yunnan provinces should, in principle, be used for reconstruction in those regions.

He Yong, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, stressed that those who misappropriate relief goods and funds face serious penalties.

The Party discipline watchdog has sent two inspection teams to ensure the proper use of relief funds and material for the areas affected by the devastating May 12 earthquake.

A team headed by Supervision Minister Ma Wen arrived in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, on May 31.

It will stay in Sichuan to supervise local governments and investigate the management and use of relief funds and material.

Another team headed by Vice Supervision Minister Wang Wei began inspections of the Red Cross Society of China and the China Charity Federation on May 30.

It will carry out inspections of organizations and central government departments that received donations.

Wang said they should carry out strict inspections to ensure relief material is used most efficiently to help affected people.

Domestic and foreign donations had reached 45.73 billion yuan in cash and goods, according to the Information Office of the State Council.