China's Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Thursday it has earmarked 150 million yuan (US$22.4 million) for the Ministry of Education to rebuild primary and middle schools in natural disaster-affected areas.

The funds will be disbursed to 11 provinces -- Hainan, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Zhejiang, Shandong, Jiangxi, Henan, Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu -- that have been hit by torrential rains, floods and mudslides in recent months, the MOF circular posted on the ministry's website said.

It is the second round of funding for the purpose in recent times. On July 9, the two ministries announced a plan to give 150 million yuan to local governments in natural disaster-affected areas.

Torrential rains wreaked havoc across China in summer, causing the worst floods and landslides in decades and the deaths of more than 1,000 people.

(Xinhua News Agency October 28, 2010)