The government disaster relief funds for earthquake-stricken areas had hit 22.42 billion yuan (US$3.2 billion) as of Friday noon, up 1.48 billion yuan from the previous day, according to the Information Office of the State Council.

The fund included 18.14 billion yuan from the central government and 4.28 billion yuan from local governments, the office said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2008)