Donations that count
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An evening charity show on April 20 by State broadcaster CCTV raised 2.175 billion yuan ($319 million) for the victims of the April 14 earthquake in Yushu county, Qinghai province.
The amount was more than the 1.514 billion yuan collected at a similar event for victims of the quake that hit Wenchuan county in Sichuan province about two years ago.
The remarks made by representatives of the donors in the latest event were different, but the message they conveyed was the same - all will stand firmly behind the people of Yushu to help them rebuild their homes.
"In the face of merciless natural disasters, love is boundless." Media outlets have been widely using this sentence. It suggests that more people have come to realize that only when love is extended to others, will humans be able to make it through the tough times and expect a brighter future for all.
The rising sense of charity among the general public is the largest asset that this country has gained from the fight against two deadly earthquakes in less than two years.
It is a spiritual asset that needs to be treasured and nurtured. One of the best ways to do so is to ensure that all the funds donated are used exactly where they are needed. It is important that the money is spent in a transparent way to aid the needy.
Auditors have been doing a good job in supervising the use of donations in the reconstruction of Wenchuan. Without their efforts, millions of yuan would have possibly been wasted or misappropriated.
With the reconstruction of both Wenchuan and Yushu still under way, all relevant government departments and auditors will hopefully do an even better job to ensure that the love from donors will be extended smoothly to those in need.
