BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The National Audit Office (NAO) said here on
Friday that it would audit the use of cash and goods for quake disaster regions,
to ensure resources were strictly managed and used in a proper and timely
manner.
Following Monday's devastating earthquake in southwestern China, a large
quantity of funds and goods, including donations, were dispatched for disaster
relief operations, and it was necessary to track how they were used, the NAO
said in a statement.
The NAO will make sure that these resources are distributed on time and in
full; that they are distributed in an open and just way and that they are used
for the designated purposes, said the statement.
Auditors will investigate and deal with any attempt to hide, intercept or
misappropriate donations, said the NAO.
The quake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale and centered in Wenchuan
County of southwestern Sichuan Province, struck on Monday afternoon. More than
50,000 people were feared to have been killed in the disaster.
For disaster relief, the government had earmarked 3.41 billion yuan (489
million U.S. dollars) so far from the central treasury. And public donations
have soared since the disaster.
As of Thursday, domestic donations in cash and goods had reached 1.34
billion yuan, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA).
The MCA had received donations of 58 million yuan, the Red Cross Society of
China (RCSC) has received 624 million yuan, and the China Charity Federation has
received about 220 million yuan.
In addition, enterprises and individuals from Taiwan, Hong Kongand Macao
that invest in the mainland had donated money, food or materials.
The Ministry of Education said Hong Kong movie mogul Run Run Shaw has
pledged 100 million Hong Kong dollars (about 12.8 millionU.S. dollars) for the
reconstruction of schools.
The Li Ka Shing foundation donated 30 million Hong Kong dollars.
As of Wednesday, Taiwan-funded companies and individuals had contributed
560 million yuan in cash and relief supplies, including cement and food.
