As rescuers are still searching for survivors in rubbles in southwest China's quake-hit areas, authorities have also moved their eyes to temples and churches affected by the disaster.

About 30 Buddhist monasteries, and Christian and Catholic churches in Pengzhou, Shifang, Mianyang and Ya'an in Sichuan Province have got relief goods such as packaged biscuits, instant noodles and bottled water since Monday's quake.

Wang Zengjian, Sichuan Provincial Religious Bureau director, has ordered local religious authorities to keep contact with each temple and church to give timely relief to help them weather through difficulties.

A 7.8-magnitude quake jolted Wenchuan County in Sichuan on Monday afternoon. The tremors were felt in many parts of the country and caused 28,881 deaths nationwide. The toll in Sichuan alone has exceeded 28,300.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2008)