BEIJING, July 9, 2008 -- The World Bank has earmarked one million U.S. dollars to help China assess possible chemical contamination in quake-ravaged Sichuan Province, the WB Beijing office told Xinhua on Wednesday.

The money, from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), would finance an environment program in the five worst-hit counties in Sichuan, including Wenchuan, Beichuan and Pingwu.

The program, conducted by the Ministry of Environment Protection and Sichuan provincial environment protection bureau, was to identify possible chemical contamination from shattered chemical plants, waste landfill sites and treatment centers for harmful chemical and industrial waste in the quake regions.

It would also provide training to help the public against possible hazards.

The GEF is an international organization that helps developing countries fund projects and programs that protect the global environment.