China supervises use of orphan aid funds

BEIJING - The Ministry of Civil Affairs on Monday sent teams to supervise the use and management of special funds for aiding orphans.

Official data showed that the central government spent 9.73 billion yuan ($163 million) from 2010 to 2013 to ensure basic living standards for orphans.

Six supervising teams will be sent to 12 provinces and autonomous regions across China to check the distribution, usage and management of the allowances to prevent embezzlement and false reporting about the funds.

The teams will also examine the security of orphan-care agencies as well as whether the orphans are enjoying policies regarding medical care, education, employment and housing.

The central government has allocated 2.26 billion yuan ($365.7 million) so far this year to fund care for orphans and HIV/AIDS-infected children, the ministry said in early July.

Children in east, central and west China will receive monthly subsidies of 200 yuan, 300 yuan and 400 yuan, respectively.