Natural disasters cause US$10bn in damage

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a report yesterday that the country has suffered losses of up to US$9.73 billion from natural disasters so far this year, with 715 dead and 4.45 million people forced to leave their homes, state media reported. Authorities allocated US$5.28 million for flood-relief work in Chongqing, which is currently suffering its worst floods in more than a century. The Ministry of Health has set up emergency medical services, and the government has set aside US$106 million to help flood-stricken areas.