LHASA — Sixteen national social organizations announced on July 22 they will launch support programs and provide donations worth 162 million yuan ($24 million) in Tibet for the next year.

According to China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, the money will be mainly used to support groups including people with serious diseases, infants and children, the disabled and the poor across Tibet.

A Beijing-based spinal health public welfare foundation will pair orthopaedic surgeons and experts with patients to offer free surgeries and donate rehabilitation equipment to poor rural areas.

There is a high incidence of cleft lip and palate in Tibet. China Charities Aid Foundation for Children donated 850,000 yuan to provide free surgery for 300 children with the condition.

Sangye Rinchen, head of the civil affairs department of Tibet, said social organizations are an important force in the region’s poverty relief and will improve the lives of poor Tibetans.