The China Red Cross Society (CRCS) has collected more than 200 million yuan (US$24 million) for flood relief this year, among which domestic donations for the first time have exceeded overseas donations.

CRCS Vice-President Wang Lizhong said at a press conference in Beijing on December 23 that the society had allocated 6,588 tons of food, more than 130,000 cotton padded quilts, 1,175 tents, 10 tons of water purificants and other essential items which had benefited more than 10 million people.

The CRCS has gained support from the General Administration of Customs which donated confiscated items worth 100 million yuan (US$12 million).

The CRCS will run a nationwide appeal to aid poor families from New Year's Day to the Spring Festival, China's traditional New Year's Day on the lunar calendar, which falls on February 1, 2003.

The CRCS has held the appeal for the past five years, providing nearly 12 million yuan (US$1.45 million) altogether to 54,500 poor families.

So far this year, it has collected more than six million yuan (US$725,514) in cash and goods.