China's Ministry of Finance announced on Friday that 100 million yuan (US$13.2 million) has been earmarked to support drought relief in some regions in southern China.

Since July, droughts have affected Jiangxi, Hunan, Fujian and Zhejiang provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

According to rough statistics in the regions, crops of 2.8 million hectares have been affected by the drought, and drinking water was in short supply for 5.1 million people and 3.14 million heads of livestock.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2007)