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China gets 76b yuan in donations for Sichuan quake

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-11 14:12

China received nearly 76 billion yuan ($11.22 billion) in cash and relief materials from domestic and foreign donors after the massive earthquake last May 12, said a white paper published Monday.

The paper, "China's Actions of Disaster Prevention and Reduction," was published by the State Council (Cabinet) Information Office a day ahead of the anniversary of the earthquake.

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The magnitude-8.0 quake, with the epicenter in Wenchuan of southwest China's Sichuan province, left more than 87,000 people dead or missing and more than 374,640 injured.

More than 3 million domestic and foreign volunteers worked in disaster relief, while 10 million others participated in quake relief activities around the country, the paper said.

It said Chinese people, enterprises and social organizations were actively involved in emergency relief work after the quake.

About 1 percent of the population volunteered for quake relief work across China, making it the first large-scale volunteer rescue effort in the country.

The paper noted that the government considered it important to involve the public fully in disaster prevention and relief. It said the country had a tax system that encouraged donations and had guided volunteers to participate in disaster work.

At the end of 2008, China had 1,531 charity foundations and about 100 million people giving time as volunteers, it said.