Changes for quake aid

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-7-13  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE Chinese government will modify its temporary subsidy plan for earthquake survivors starting in September, with each survivor experiencing financial hardship to get 200 yuan ($US29) a month, the State Council said yesterday.

"Life in most parts of the area will return to normal by September but, in some worst-hit areas, some people might still suffer difficulties. To help them, the government decided to continue financial assistance after the present policy ends," said a statement issued after a cabinet meeting presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao.

The policy will cover such categories as orphans, the elderly and the disabled without family support, those whose relatives were killed or severely injured, those who were displaced and those whose residences were destroyed, the statement said.

Since the disaster, every needy survivor has been eligible to receive 10 yuan and 500 grams of food a day. The policy has covered about 8.82 million people but will end in August.

The new system won't include any food allotment, but some survivors will receive more than the minimum. The new policy will expire in November, the statement said.