Guizhou Province, one of the most economically backward areas in southwest China, has tried hard to build up a social relief system for those in abject poverty, both in cities and villages.

In 2005, the province launched the poverty-relief scheme for the needy, numbered 945,000, two years ahead of the schedule. The provincial financial department alone allocated 189 million (US$23 million), according to the standard of 200 yuan per person a year, for financial assistance to very poor villagers.

A total of 211.5 million yuan (US$26 million) was used to help 963,700 poverty-stricken rural residents last year, according to the provincial government.

Meanwhile, 406 million yuan (US$50 million) were spent for similar programs in cities, to cover 489,100 people living in abject poverty.

In 2005, the provincial government allocated 209 million yuan (US$26 million) in relief for disaster-hit people. Meanwhile, the government also received donations including 3.79 million yuan (US$467,900) and 3.61 million pieces of clothing and quilts from the general public.

The province also set up a fund to give financial assistance to poor villagers who can not afford medical charges. Last year, 20.05 million yuan (US$2.5 million) was spent for aiding165,100 of those villagers.

The 14 relief centers in the province helped 14,500 homeless people in the past year.

(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2006)