Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has responded by dispatching more than 20 teams of officials and experts to inspectthe flood situation in 13 provinces and autonomous regions.

The ministry has coordinated with other central government ministries in its relief efforts and has received donations from both home and abroad, including 18.93 million yuan (about US$ 2.28 million) in cash and 7.84 million yuan (about US$944,500) worth of goods collected by the Red Cross Society of China and the China Charity Society.

Over the past months, soldiers, police officers and militiamen have been working side by side with local residents to combat the devastating floods in the affected areas. Thanks to their joint efforts, losses have greatly reduced, the ministry said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2002)