China's central government has allocated 120 million yuan (15.2 million U.S. dollars) to regions struck by severe natural disasters, said the Ministry of Finance on Thursday.

Of the total, 60 million yuan will ensure a supply of food and water to victims of severe drought in Sichuan and other regions in southwest China.

Two children play in a dried-up pool at Xiniushi Village in Daying County of Suining City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 13, 2006. Most areas of Sichuan Province have been suffering from month-long drought and searing heat. Local governments have allocated funds to help residents fight against drought by tapping ground water and improving water conservation facilities. (Xinhua Photo)

The other half will be used to help people forced from their homes by typhoon Saomai that lashed coastal Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, the ministry said.

So far this year, the central government has granted 3.01 billion yuan for severe natural disaster relief.

The drought in Sichuan has killed crops and millions of people are suffering from water shortages.

Typhoon Saomai, the most powerful storm to strike China since 1956, displaced up to 1.4 million people in Zhejiang and Fujian.

Editor: Yan