BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities have allocated disaster relief funds totaling 45 million yuan (about 6.26 million U.S. dollars) to aid several regions recently hit by natural disasters.

The emergency funds were allocated by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Ministry of Emergency Management.

Of the total, 15 million yuan is earmarked for flood control and disaster relief in southwest China's Yunnan Province. Another 10 million yuan is to be used to support rescue operations following a landslide in the Xizang Autonomous Region, also in southwest China. The remaining 20 million yuan is expected to be directed toward drought relief in Gansu Province and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwestern China.

The funds will be used to minimize casualties and losses, and to ensure the safety of people and their property in affected areas, according to the MOF. ■