4,600 Tonnes of Grain Allocated for Quake Zone

The central government has earmarked 4,600 tonnes of grain for the quake-hit Yushu region in northwest China's Qinghai Province, local authorities confirmed on April 19th .

The donated grain includes 3,680 tonnes of wheat flour and 920 tonnes of rice, said a spokesman for Qinghai provincial development and reform commission.

According to the spokesman, the relief grain will be allotted to quake victims in Yushu free of charge according a standard of 0.5 kilograms per person daily for three months.

A 7.1-magnitude quake struck the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu early Wednesday. At least 1,706 were killed and 12,128 injured, according to latest official tally on April 19th .

The devastating earthquake affected about 100,000 people in a 30,000 square kilometer area, the China Earthquake Administration said on April 19th .

Made of wood and mud, most houses in the area collapsed or are on the verge of collapse.

Food, drinking water and weather-proof tents, quilts and coats are all in short supply, local officials said.

(Source: Xinhua)