China's Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) channeled more than 1 billion yuan (about US$151.8 million) raised by the lottery to public welfare programs in 2010, according to a statement issued by the MCA Tuesday.

China's government-run lottery raised 30 billion yuan for public welfare funds in 2010, according to the MCA.

Half of the funds were allocated to welfare projects administered by central authorities, including the MCA, and half to welfare projects organized by local governments.

The quota for the MCA to use at its own discretion was 1.053 billion yuan, which was mainly directed for improving the welfare of the aged, the disabled, children, and those impacted by natural disasters.

Of the 1 billion yuan, 604 million yuan went to providing care and rehabilitation to the aged and the disabled.

Additionally, 417 million yuan went to welfare programs for children, including providing care and rehabilitation to disabled orphans, children suffering cerebral palsy, AIDS-impacted children, and providing shelters to homeless juveniles, among others.

The rest of the fund went to government procurement of social services, and retrofitting incineration and burial infrastructures in the underdeveloped west and central regions.

(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2011)