BEIJING - China distributed another 1.26 billion yuan ($199 million) in winter relief funds to weather-stricken areas on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Together with the 5.04 billion yuan distributed on December 15 last year, the total amount of distributed winter relief funds has reached 6.3 billion yuan, the statement said.

The funds, arranged by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, are used to provide food and clothing for people in extremely cold regions, according to the statement.

It said the central government has decided to lift average food subsidies from the previous 50 yuan per person to 90 yuan.

The ministry also urged relevant provinces to properly handle disaster relief work following snowstorms and freezing weather, the statement said.