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Þ make a donation to the China Sichuan Earthquake Appeal 2008
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On May 12, a powerful earthquake devastated south-western China, leaving nearly 70,000 people dead and a further 15 million people displaced, a third of whom are now homeless. Thousands of aftershocks have been recorded.
Almost 400,000 people were injured in the quake, which damaged or destroyed 35 million homes in Sichuan province.
International Red Cross aid workers are there, supporting the local Chinese Red Cross with its relief and recovery efforts by providing water and sanitation and emergency shelter.
Global tent drive
Finding emergency accommodation for the displaced is a focus of relief and recovery activities. A global tent drive organised by Red Cross is aiming to distribute over 100,000 tents in some of the hardest hit areas. By June 30, almost 90,000 had already reached the earthquake zone.
'Tents are a vital tool in providing immediate relief while long-term shelter is secured,' says Simon Eccleshall, senior recovery officer for International Red Cross.
'Following any disaster, the greatest needs are shelter, clean water and proper sanitation. Red Cross remains committed to meeting these critical needs.'
Australian Red Cross is donating $2 million to the tent drive. The tents have been transported by truck to the affected areas at a rate of almost 5,000 per day. Two flights are arriving each day, and up to 100 volunteers are needed to load and unload supplies. |
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A young girl receives treatment at the medical centre set up by doctors from the Hunan provincial Red Cross Society. Sho Huang/International Federation
Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province, taking shelter after the earthquake. Sho Huang/International Federation |
Schools and shelters under construction
In mid-June, Red Cross in China opened the first 27 transitional schools of more than 1,000 schools that will be constructed with support from the local Red Cross.
Local authorities are concentrating on constructing temporary prefabricated houses - tens of thousands are already complete. As often occurs after disasters of this size, communities may need to stay in temporary shelters for up to a year in some of the hardest-hit areas.
Relief supplies to aid recovery
Relief supplies continue to pour into the earthquake zone. Red Cross will concentrate on supporting 100,000 people over the next 12 months, and support earthquake relief and recovery programs, including distribution of emergency relief, temporary and permanent housing, water and sanitation, health services, rebuilding schools and health clinics. Volunteers and teams specialised in relief coordination, medical care and psychosocial support will be recruited and supported by Red Cross.
Red Cross water purification units are providing clean drinking water to hospitals, schools and families living in temporary shelters, supporting up to 30,000 people, particularly while latrines are constructed. Sanitation and hygiene education is being provided.
The International Red Cross will locally purchase up to 100,000 quilts, kitchen sets and hygiene kits to help earthquake-affected families.
More than 35,000 Chinese Red Cross staff and volunteers and over 100 rescue and medical teams worked around the clock to deliver aid to survivors in the earthquake-affected areas.
Psychological support
Many survivors have lost parents, spouses or children. Coupled with losing their homes and personal belongings, the psychological needs for survivors are enormous.
To help people during this time of high emotional stress the local Red Cross has sent two teams to provide psychological support to survivors and relief workers. The teams will also provide training for Red Cross volunteers, so they can provide additional support.
China Sichuan Earthquake Appeal 2008
You can make a donation to the China Sichuan Earthquake Appeal 2008 by using our secure online donation form or by using one of the other donation methods on the right.
Donations to the China Sichuan Earthquake Appeal 2008 will:
- support the relief and recovery needs of individuals and communities affected by the earthquake, including urgent needs of shelter through the provision of tents and quilts, clean water, food parcels, medical supplies and hygiene kits
- send specialist aid workers to assist in the Red Cross response if required
- assist Red Cross in China in preparing and responding to this and future emergencies
Australian Red Cross will not deduct more than 10% of any donation for an international appeal to cover appeal costs. Should the funds raised exceed the amount required to meet the immediate and longer term needs of the people in the affected areas, Australian Red Cross will direct the excess funds to other Disaster Management initiatives in China.
 
Red Cross in China
Red Cross is the only organisation -- besides the government agencies -- currently engaged in disaster response activities on a nationwide scale in China.
Red Cross is well established in China, with more than 20 million volunteers working around the country. This network is well-placed to mobilise communities to address preparedness and safety measures, assist in rapid assessment of damage after disasters strike, organise initial first aid and rescue efforts, and assist in relief distribution.
Australian Red Cross has responded to humanitarian situations in China, like floods and earthquakes, since the 1970s and has run development programs there since the early 1990s. We currently run HIV and disaster preparedness programs in four provinces.
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