The Hebei provincial government has issued a Notice on Contingency Plans on Natural Disaster Relief and has decided to divide responses to unexpected natural disasters into four levels.

To decide which level of response is proper, it is necessary to refer to data such as: death toll, people relocated who need emergency life assistance, dilapidated and seriously damaged homes, draught victims who need government assistance, and the proportion of people who need government assistance, including farmers and livestock breeders.

Hebei province will prepare capital, supplies and human resources for natural disaster relief. A special relief fund system and a supply storage network will be established to improve conditions, facilities and functions of relief supply storage. In addition, professional rescue teams will be developed in conjunction with civil administration capabilities.

When the new plans become effective the former provisions issued in June 2007 will be abolished.