In the wake of the outbreak of the new round of COVID-19, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region recently urgently allocated 130 million yuan ($18.54 million) in aid and subsidies to ensure the basic living needs of its needy people hit by the pandemic.

The initiative was announced in a statement jointly released by the region's civil affairs department and its finance department.

The notice clarifies that the funds allocated this time will be used for basic living assistance, social assistance in emergencies and for temporary price subsidies for people in need.

Meanwhile, the notice requires all departments to efficiently and properly solve the sudden and urgent living problems of people in need and to act promptly to include eligible people within basic guarantees -- such as subsistence allowances, special poverty support and temporary assistance.

In addition, the notice requires that the level of assistance should be improved for people experiencing major life difficulties and that various types of assistance and security funds should be released in a full and timely manner.

Departments should also pay close attention to changes in prices and price trends, implement policies related to periodic price adjustments and temporary subsidies and include people living on minimum living allowances in the scope of the distributions.