May 14, 2008

In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in central China, Mercy Corps is on the ground assisting survivors. You can give now to support relief efforts for a disastrous situation that's still unfolding.

Photos: Reuters/Stringer, Reuters/Stringer, Reuters/Aly Song; courtesy of www.alertnet.org

The 7.9 magnitude tremor, which was focused in China's Sichuan Province, is estimated to have killed at least 14,800 people — and that toll is expected to rise dramatically as rescue teams reach the most affected areas. In cities near the earthquake's epicenter, over 26,000 people are buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings. One county is reporting that more than 80 percent of buildings have been destroyed.

The Chinese government estimates that as many as 3.5 million homes have been destroyed.

The earthquake was so powerful that skyscrapers swayed hundreds of miles away in Shanghai, and the shocks were felt as far away as Thailand and Vietnam.

Mercy Corps, through its local partner China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), is mounting an emergency response for survivors. Together, we are procuring critical supplies such as food, water, clothing and shelter supplies to rush to affected families. We have deployed two experienced staff members from our Beijing office to help coordinate efforts.

"CFPA wants to work hand-in-hand with Mercy Corps," explained Kate Janis, Mercy Corps' Senior Program Officer, currently on the ground in Sichuan's capital, Chengdu. "They want to have us alongside them all the way."

Today Janis and another team member are accompanying CFPA emergency workers to Chongqing, a city severely affected by the earthquake, to set up a temporary relief office from which they will coordinate efforts.

Mercy Corps has been assisting families and vulnerable communities in China since 2001. One of our programs — Project GLOW — is centered in Sichuan Province, the epicenter of the earthquake. We have confirmed that our staff and partners in the area are safe.

We need your help to provide help to thousands of survivors who have lost their homes and loved ones. Please give today.

Donate Now

Please consider a gift to our China Earthquake Fund to speed relief to families in need.

Program/Issue	Amount (US Dollars)
Where Most Needed Global Food Crisis Emergency Response Sudan Emergency Congo's Displaced Families Silent Disasters Gaza Crisis Myanmar Cyclone China Earthquake	$

Donate Now

Program/Issue

Where Most Needed Global Food Crisis Emergency Response Sudan Emergency Congo's Displaced Families Silent Disasters Gaza Crisis Myanmar Cyclone China Earthquake

Amount (US Dollars)

$

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