MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australia will contribute $500,000 in emergency relief to Chinese families
affected by recent flooding, the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mrs
Chris Gallus announced today.
'Australia's contribution will be made to the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies appeal that will help more than 440,000 people
recover from the floods,' Mrs Gallus said.
'Families living in some of the worst affected areas will receive family
packages of 100 kilograms of rice, a quilt and a mosquito net for protection
against the increased risk of malaria.
Since late June, more than 300 people have died as severe rainfall caused
flooding of the Huai and Yangtze Rivers, affecting several provinces including
Anhui, Jiangsu and Henan.
'Rising water has forced at least three million people from their homes and
more than half a million housing units have already collapsed with the figure
anticipated to rise as floodwaters recede,' Mrs Gallus said.
In addition, millions of hectares of farmland have been flooded and over 1.7
million hectares of crops have been destroyed.
Media contacts:
Shane Fairlie (Mrs Gallus' Office) 02 62777 4840 or 0408 680 442
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489