May 20, 2008

China guarantees grain and oil supply for 10 million in disaster region
 

Each of the 10 million people in the disaster region hit by the powerful earthquake in Sichuan last week would be guaranteed 500 grammes of grain daily for the next three months, according to China's National Development and Reform Commission.

The commission and the State Administration of Grain have jointly asked grain authorities in Sichuan Province to guarantee supplies and stabilize prices in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake which hit the region Monday last week.  

Furthermore, the Commission and the Bureau called for strengthened distribution of central grain reserves to the disaster areas and for implementation of plans made to guarantee grain and oil supply. 

China Grain Reserves Corporation continued to transport rapeseed oil from its central reserve branches in Hunan, Hubei, Anhui and Henan Provinces to Sichuan.

Around 5,370 tonnes of grains and oil had been released into Sichuan's disaster areas one week after the quake.