Basic supplies guaranteed in worst-hit areas

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-13-2008 08:24

Efforts are being stepped up to guarantee basic supplies in the worst-hit areas.

12,000 tons of maize have been trucked into the provinces of Hunan and Jiangxi. This has eased pressure on local grain reserves and stabilized prices.

12,000 tons of maize have been trucked into the provinces of Hunan and Jiangxi. This has eased pressure on local grain reserves and stabilized prices.

Long Jie, director of Hengyang Bureau of Commerce, Hunan, said, "We've organized processing plants ahead of time to reserve over 20,000 tons of rice and 5,000 tons of oil for Spring Festival."

The city of Hengyang in Hunan has been crippled by power shortages. So 80 diesel-powered rice mills have been allocated to 27 rural counties.

In Shexian county in Anhui, a 40 militiamen climbed mountains to bring rice, instant noodles and candles to over 2000 people.

In the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, transport teams are battling their way past fallen trees on icy roads. Power lines are down. And conditions are often so slippery that the men have to make their way on foot. So far, they've delivered 20,000 tons of rice.

The neighboring Guangdong province has taken strict measures to crack down on illegal behavior, such as hoarding supplies for speculation and price gouging.

Editor:Zhang Ning