Post-quake relief work continued in Ya'an, Sichuan Province, five days after the 7.0 magnitude quake on Saturday as local authorities switched their focus to the distribution of relief supplies.

More than 237,600 residents are currently living in makeshift shelters, with the distribution of relief supplies and settlement work the top priority of authorities, according to the Global Times' reporter on the scene in Lushan county, the quake's epicenter.

"Chances of survival for those who are still buried are quite slim, so it is right for local authorities to put their efforts into relief work, calming affected residents and helping get their lives back to normal," Gao Jianguo, researcher at the Institute of Geology of China Earthquake Administration, told the Global Times.

By Wednesday afternoon, the quake had claimed 196 lives and injured 11,470. Twenty-one people were still missing.

On the way from the quake-hit Baoxing county to Lushan Wednesday, the Global Times reporter encountered villagers complaining about the late arrival and the shortage of relief supplies and daily necessities.

Luo Hanchang, head of Lushan civil affairs bureau, said roads continue to be damaged by frequent aftershocks, precipitation and landslides, which have slowed the transportation of relief materials.

By Wednesday afternoon, all roads from Lushan to quake-hit villages had reopened. "It will accelerate the delivery of the goods," Luo said.

The lack of supplies is also a problem. Dozens of villagers on Wednesday came to the Lushan discipline inspection commission to report that only one bottle of water and one bag of instant noodle was provided to each resident per day.

Lü Wenfang, a villager, told the Global Times that village authorities have provided more food since their visit to the commission.

Residents in Xile village told the Global Times that only 10 boxes of instant noodles and 20 tents had arrived at the village that is home to some 1,200 residents, some of whom are still being housed in shabby shelters made of bamboo poles.

Chen Lin, a volunteer from Chengdu, told the Global Times that residents in Lushan have received many supplies, much of it remains untouched.

Luo said because of the narrow mountain roads, only a small amount of supplies can get through to outlying areas, adding there is an inspector in every village to ensure smooth distribution of supplies.

The province has allocated more than 1.7 billion yuan ($275 million) for relief work and received 360 million yuan in donations. Over 55,000 tents, 215,000 quilts and 2,239 tons of food and water have been sent, said Hou Xiongfei, head of the media office of the provincial government.