The government disaster relief funds for the earthquake-stricken areas had hit 16.6 billion yuan (US$2.37 billion) as of 2:00 PM on Monday, up 1.5 billion yuan from the previous day, according to the State Council Information Office.

The funds included 12.56 billion yuan from the central budget and 4.06 billion yuan from local budget, the office said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2008)