China's Ministry of Civil Affairs allocated some 11.344 billion yuan (US$1.7 billion) for disaster relief this year, according to a report referred to the country's top legislature for review.

"2010 was one of the most serious years in the past 20 years regarding China's natural disasters, only second to 2008," said Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo Friday while delivering the report at the 18th session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

An 8.0-magnitude earthquake hit Sichuan Province and neighboring Gansu and Shaanxi provinces in May 2008, leaving 87,000 people dead or missing.

In 2010, about 2,000 people were killed or went missing following five major mud and rock slides in west China's Guizhou, Gansu, and Yunnan provinces, according to figures from the Ministry of Land and Resources.

According to Li, in 2010 the ministry improved an emergency evaluation system for natural disasters and enhancing rescue and relief capabilities by using satellite remote sensing and other high technology.

Also, civil affairs departments at all levels helped rebuild 609,000 residential houses and repaired 1.588 million damaged homes.

In addition, the ministry strengthened management and supervision of relief materials and funds last year, including guiding social organizations to release donation information to the public.

The 18th session of the Standing Committee of the 11th NPC will review a series of reports and draft laws, including a draft amendment to the Criminal Law, a draft revision to the Law on Water and Soil Conservation, and a draft law on intangible cultural heritage.

The session runs from Dec. 20 to 25.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2010)