Flooding has caused the evacuation of 378,900 people in Anhui Province, east China, with 200,000 from the flood-stricken Huaihe River areas.

After continual rainfall caused flooding in many parts of the province, a local rescue taskforce has been working to provide food, potable water and accommodation for victims.

Among the evacuated, 275,500 have sought shelter with relatives and friends, 57,600 are living in state housing, 25,100 in tents, and 20,077 in shacks, according to the provincial civil affairs department.

Meanwhile, more relief goods are reaching the affected areas.

Anhui Province has allocated 7.1 million yuan (US$858,000) and a large quantity of goods, including 280 tons of rice,162 tons of flour, 2,000 tents and 450 tons of coal.

China's Ministry of Civil Affairs has allocated 15 million yuan and transferred 5,000 tents from Henan Province to help the affected areas in Anhui.

(People's Daily July 8, 2003)