Snow-hit areas continue rebuilding

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Now reconstruction will replace disaster relief as the major task for governments at all levels.

Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo

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Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo said, "Our focus will be on rebuilding collapsed houses, providing timely public health services, insuring adequate food, clothing, water,and housing for the disaster-hit people, as well as education for the kids."

The Ministry of Civil Affairs calculates direct losses at over 100 billion yuan. And the harsh conditions killed more than a hundred people.

Now, with the government's timely relief work, as well as domestic and international donations, conditions such as market supply are returning to normal.

Assistant Minister of Commerce Huang Hai said, "In general, the supply of daily necessities is stable. The prices are falling much lower than in the early stage of the disaster. But because of the difficulty in transportation, prices in some remote areas remain high."

In addition to the 2.7 billion yuan allocated for relief work, the central government announced a series of follow-up measures.

Reconstruction will get further financial injections to main worst hit areas. Tariffs and fees will be lowered for building materials, and subsidies to victims will be increased.

Officials hope to have rebuilding finished before the end of June.

Editor:Zhang Ning