China fully launches national winter and spring relief work in 2024-2025

On October 22, at a news conference in Beijing, Chen Sheng, the director of the Disaster Relief and Material Support Department of China’s Ministry of Emergency Management, announced that the nationwide winter-spring relief efforts for the 2024-2025 season have officially begun. This comes as a wave of cold air is causing temperatures to rapidly drop across central and eastern China, signaling the impending winter for many northern regions.

Chen highlighted the numerous natural disasters that have occurred this year, which have wide-reaching impacts and have caused significant damage to people’s properties. He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that those affected can safely and warmly endure the winter.

Currently, emergency management agencies and local community leaders are conducting door-to-door assessments in affected areas. Following a structured process of “household reporting, village evaluation, township review, and county determination,” they are using the National Natural Disaster Relief Fund Management System to submit and approve applications. As of the 22nd, over 21 million disaster-affected individuals have submitted their requests for winter-spring assistance.

Chen noted that the scope of the winter-spring relief is extensive, typically benefiting around 30 million people annually. He stressed the importance of ensuring that no household is overlooked and that assistance is provided fairly and justly. Careful groundwork is essential, especially when it comes to identifying those in critical need and vulnerable groups.

Once local relief levels are established, the Ministry of Emergency Management will collaborate with the Ministry of Finance to arrange for the timely disbursement of central relief funds based on regional needs. Specific support will be prioritized for severely affected areas, including those hit hard during the main flood season, regions impacted by significant earthquakes, extremely cold areas, and counties designated for key rural revitalization assistance.

To guarantee that all central winter-spring aid is distributed to disaster-stricken individuals before the Chinese New Year, Chen stated that the ministry will coordinate efforts to address any challenges that arise during the distribution process. Additionally, one-on-one follow-up guidance will be provided to provinces with larger fund allocations, while timely reminders will be issued to those lagging in progress.