Volunteers rise to challenge in flood-stricken Henan

In August last year, Zhou Xuewen, director-general of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, said more than 14,000 people from some 500 civilian rescue teams across the country had joined flood alleviation efforts in southern areas.

With their own funding and equipment, the civilian rescuers helped relocate 40,000 people from affected locations, Zhou told a news conference organized by the State Council Information Office.

To date, 1,775 civilian rescue teams with a total of 620,000 members are registered in China, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.