The Chinese government has earmarked 3.18 billion yuan (US$468 million) to help disaster-affected residents weather through winter hardships.

The Ministry of Finance said on Monday that the money will help ensure sufficient food, clothing, heating and other basic living necessities for these residents.

China vowed to beef up social securities as the government increased the monthly subsidy to low-income households by 15 yuan (about US$2.19) for each urban citizen and 10 yuan for each rural resident in 2009.

The central government spent 276.16 billion yuan on social welfare and employment last year, registering an increase of 19.9 percent over that in 2007.

(Xinhua News Agency December 8, 2009)