The government disaster relief funds for the earthquake-stricken areas had hit 16.6 billion yuan (2.37 billion US dollars) as of 2 p.m. on Monday, up 1.5 billion yuan from the previous day, according to the Information Office of the State Council.

The funds included 12.56 billion yuan from the central budget and 4.06 billion yuan from local budget, the office said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2008)