BEIJING -?The finance and civil affairs ministries Wednesday jointly allocated 5.705 billion yuan (about 826.3 million U.S. dollars) to provide living support for residents in disaster-hit regions.

The fund will help solve difficulties caused by disasters, including food shortages, and inadequate clothing and heating, during winter and spring, according to a Ministry of Civil Affairs statement.

It urged local governments to expedite distribution of the money and goods, ensuring disaster-hit residents receive them in timely fashion.

Official figures show natural disasters, including earthquakes, low temperatures and snowstorms, affected about 465,000 people in November.

They caused 880 million yuan in direct economic losses, forced 2,000 people to relocate, and destroyed more than 700 houses, damaging a further 38,500.