The Civil Administration, the Red Cross Society and the Charity Federation of east China's Jiangxi Province appealed on Sunday for more aid from society, including companies, organizations and individuals, to help 100,000 quake-afflicted residents pass the winter in Jiujiang, a city on the southern bank of the Yangtze River.

The quake has caused about 3 billion yuan (US$370.37 million) in economic losses and left about 100,000 people homeless, according to Hu Zhenpeng, deputy governor of the province.

To date, nearly 50 million yuan in donations have been received from individuals, and more than 50 million yuan from other provincial governments. 

The municipal government of Jiujiang is rebuilding residences and shelters for those rendered homeless to pass the winter, but a lack of funds is slowing down the work, local officials said. It is estimated that the total funds need for rebuilding and reconstruction is about 2 to 3 billion yuan.

An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale hit the cities of Jiujiang and Ruichang in east China's Jiangxi Province on November 26, killing 13 people and destroying many buildings.

(Xinhua News Agency, China.org.cn December 12, 2005)