Phoenix Satellite Television:

As we all know, this year, affected by extreme weather, many areas in China have been hit by rainstorms and floods, with some areas seriously affected. What targeted measures have been adopted by the National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief and the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) in regards to disaster relief and assistance? What appropriate arrangements and assistance have disaster victims received? Thank you.

Wang Daoxi:

Thanks to the reporter from Phoenix Satellite Television for your concern and attention to flood prevention and resistance and disaster relief. As you mentioned, this year's climate trends deviated from the average level of normal years. There were many heavy rainfalls, lasting for extended periods of time. Flooding of rivers occurred early and developed rapidly. Floods, hailstorms and geological disasters severely affected a wide range of areas and caused heavy losses to certain areas. Therefore, the task of disaster relief and assistance is very arduous. To ensure that disaster victims receive appropriate arrangements and assistance, the National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief and the MEM have mainly taken the following targeted measures, which can be summarized as "three focuses."

First, we have focused on disaster prediction and activated disaster relief responses in an efficient and orderly manner. Before the flood season, we have actively advanced the building of a disaster relief planning system, strengthened the professional training of disaster relief and disaster information delivery teams, enhanced the pre-positioning of disaster relief materials to the front line of rural areas and have improved the disaster relief and assistance capacity at the grassroot level. During disasters, we have predicted development trends of disasters as well as needs for disaster relief and assistance, activating disaster relief emergency response in advance. The national disaster relief response has been activated for a total of 21 times this year. After disasters, we have dynamically adjusted response levels according to changes in disaster situations and have upgraded response levels for five times, especially in response to the disaster situation in Hunan, we promptly upgraded the disaster relief response to the second level. We have given a coordinating role to the National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief, stepped up joint consultations and assessments and have organized and dispatched joint working groups to key cities and counties deeply affected by disasters and facing difficulties in relief efforts to offer guidance and help for disaster relief and post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. Overall, our response to disaster relief has become more timely, more frequent and involves more practical measures, continuing to send a strong signal that "the country is in action."

Second, we have focused on the needs of disaster-hit areas and quickly allocated central disaster relief funds and materials. Since the beginning of the flood season, we have worked with the Ministry of Finance to allocate nine batches of 3.125 billion yuan for central disaster relief funds in advance, which fully ensures the urgent need for disaster relief with higher allocation efficiency and greater support for disaster relief. We have also coordinated central and local reserve resources and worked with the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration to allocate 21 batches of 473,200 pieces of central disaster relief materials, including folding beds, bedding and family emergency kits, to meet the needs of the public at the different stages of temporary refuge, relocation and transitional resettlement. In response to disaster conditions in various areas and urgent needs of the people, we have repeatedly activated the government-society coordinated support mechanism for emergency supplies and have allocated a large supply of food, daily necessities and other scarce materials to better ensure people's basic livelihood. 

Third, we have focused on key links and have worked at the front line to strengthen supervision and guidance. We have organized a number of inspection groups, expert groups and steering groups to coordinate and resolve difficulties and problems on the spot, publicized and explained assistance policies face to face and guided local governments to carry out disaster relief and assistance work. In particular, we have paid close attention to the management and services of resettlement sites, guided the orderly organization of material distribution and have strived to ensure basic necessities such as food and lodging for disaster victims, especially ensuring that there is food, water, clothing, temporary safe shelter and access to timely medical treatment. In addition, we have also coordinated to provide medical, cultural and psychological services to help disaster victims feel secure and comfortable. We have also seen in many resettlement sites that in spite of suffering disasters, the people have actively helped themselves and each other, and some have even willingly participated in volunteer services, which is very touching. At present, the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction work is in rapid progress, including emergency repair of infrastructure in disaster-hit areas and reconstruction and repair of collapsed and damaged housing. We will continue to follow up and strengthen guidance. I believe that with the joint efforts of all parties, disaster-hit areas will promptly be rebuilt into beautiful homes! Thank you!

Xing Huina:

Well, today's briefing is hereby concluded. Thanks to all speakers and friends from the media. Goodbye everyone.

Translated and edited by Xu Xiaoxuan, Wang Wei, Liu Caiyi, Liu Sitong, Li Xiao, Ma Yujia, Yan Bin, Yuan Fang, Lin Liyao, Zhang Junmian, Liu Qiang, Xu Kailin, Liu Jianing, Li Huiru, Rochelle Beiersdorfer, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.