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On Monday, May 12th a three-minute-long magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck China's Sichuan Province. According to United States Geological Survey, the cities of Jiangyou (population:127,000); Tianpeng (60,000); Guangyuan (213,000); Mianyang (264,000); and the provincial capital, Chengdu (3,950,000) all received extensive damage and continuous aftershocks.
Based on current reports (June 1, 2008), 69,016 people are reported dead, another 18,830 people remain missing and 368,545 are injured.
Extensive damage to physical infrastructure continues to hamper access by land to the affected areas. Furthermore, heavy rains also constrain access by air. Information on affected populations and prevailing needs therefore remain difficult to obtain.
In an effort to respond to the pressing needs in Sichuan Province, the International Community Foundation is partnering with the United Nations Foundation to grant through The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) administered by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). To date, the CERF has committed at least $7 million for the most immediate on the ground needs, including food assistance, shelter, tents, water and sanitation. With the support of the Robert & Joyce Chang Fund, the International Community Foundation is able to match contributions made on a 1-to-1 basis in support of China’s earthquake victims up to $100,000 in total contributions made.
Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the International Community Foundation either online or by mail to: |
Additional details on the earthquake in Sichuan Province can be found at the following link:
China: Sichuan
Earthquake
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