Donations to Chinese charitable organizations in June to August have plunged 90 percent, compared with March to May period, as charities confront public distrust, the Beijing Times reported.

The amount the charitable organizations received in June to August totaled 840 million yuan ($131.45 million), a sharp decrease from the 6.3 billion yuan received in March to May, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

In contrast, donations made directly to the people in need surged from 39 million yuan in March to May to 127 million in June to August.

The credibility of charitable organizations has come under fire since the Guo Meimei scandal. Guo claimed herself to be a manager of the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) and showed off her lavish lifestyle online.

By Sun Yuanqing