American Red Cross - Response to the China Earthquake
Overview
On Monday, May 12, at 2.28 p.m. Beijing time (6:28 GMT), a major earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, jolted southwestern China's Sichuan Province. Several lower-scale earthquakes and aftershocks followed in the same area. The quake destroyed many buildings in the area, as well as infrastructure like communication towers.
According to the latest reports, more than 12,000 people have died and many more have been injured or are missing. Many schools were destroyed, including one that had at least 900 students in it. As authorities reach more remote areas, these numbers are expected to rise.
Red Cross and Red Crescent Response
Immediately after the quake struck, the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) began to mobilize a relief operation for this disaster. The American Red Cross has been in touch with the RCSC and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and stands prepared to provide including relief supplies, delegates or financial assistance, as needed.
The RCSC immediately mobilized its staff and volunteers, as well as relief supplies, such as tents, quilts and other materials. Already, volunteers and staff from the RCSC have been distributing food, water and tents to people in the affected area. Assessment teams are on the ground to determine the extent of the damage.
On May 12, the International Federation allocated nearly US $240,000 from the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to help the RCSC deliver immediate assistance.
