China mobilizes relief efforts after Xizang disaster

Chinese authorities have mobilized emergency relief materials to support rescue and resettlement work in Xizang autonomous region after a cross-border debris flow caused a large number of casualties and missing persons.

At around 10:30 am on Wednesday, a debris flow occurred on the Nepalese side of the border, which continued across into Gyirong Port in Gyirong county, Shigatse.

Since then, the Office of the National Committee for Disaster Reduction and Relief, the Ministry of Emergency Management, together with the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, has allocated 30,000 items of central government disaster relief supplies to the affected area.

The materials include tents, heating stoves, quilts and clothes, folding beds, moisture-proof mats and other daily necessities and disaster-rescue equipment, which will support the resettlement of affected residents and aid targeted disaster assistance work.

Also on Wednesday, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management allocated 120 million yuan ($18 million) in natural disaster relief funds to support Xizang. The focus is on search and rescue operations, relocating and resettling affected residents, eliminating hazards, and repairing damaged homes.

The National Development and Reform Commission allocated 100 million yuan on Wednesday to support the emergency restoration and reconstruction of infrastructure and other facilities in the disaster-affected areas.