Disasters cost China 10 bln yuan 2014

The central government allocated 9.87 billion yuan (1.61 billion US dollars) for disaster relief in 2014, helping more than 75 million people, said an official with the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA).

Chen Rifa of the MCA said the ministry plans to improve guidelines on disaster relief. China now has 64.3 million people receiving subsistence allowances, and in 2015 improved policies will seek more efficient ways to help them.

The MCA will also put more effort into care for the elderly. It aims to provide 30 beds for every thousand elderly people, with senior day care to cover all urban communities and more than 50 percent of rural communities.

"The ministry will work on reducing taxes as a way to promote philanthropy," he added.