Natural disasters such as flood or drought cannot be prevented but their impact can be mitigated by pre-emptive measures.

Natural disasters this year have been more serious than last year in their extent and degree of damage. But the death toll is 34 percent lower than last year and the total number of people affected has dropped by 9.4 percent, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

This suggests that the efforts we have made in consolidating river embankments and flood control facilities along major rivers have paid off, and so have the endeavors we have made in upgrading our capability in rescuing residents and delivering timely relief to victims.

In recent years, a contingency mechanism for disaster rescue and relief has been a popular phrase. Central and local governments have spared no effort to either establish or optimize such a mechanism.

That the Ministry of Civil Affairs has used such a contingency mechanism 41 times by sending teams to the areas struck by natural disasters speaks volumes for its effectiveness. That the evacuation of villages swept by floods was so well organized in some areas also sends a message that a number of local governments have done a good job in preparing for such contingencies.

The decision by the central government to increase the fund for disaster relief from 6.7 billion yuan ($881 million) to 11.54 billion yuan and increase the subsidies to victims whose houses have either been destroyed by floods or earthquakes indicates a sound disaster relief and reduction system has been established from the central to grassroots governments.

Behind such a gesture is the message that the government seriously views its duty to protect its citizens from the damage of natural disasters.

Natural disasters caused by extreme weather conditions will become more frequent and serious in the years to come, as evidenced by global climate change. Improvement to the contingency mechanism, disaster rescue and relief systems can never be too much.

We have reason to believe the government will do a better job in this regard as long as it puts the interests of the people first in formulating policies.

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