World Vision UK aid workers have finally managed to arrive after 30 hours road travel in China’s quake stricken Qinghai Province. Due to the continued disruptions to air travel because of the Icelandic volcanic ash, the team is now in to assess the damage and provide supplies. More than 1,000 boxes of noodles, hygiene kits and child-friendly kits have been distributed in the town of Jiegu, where over 80% of the buildings have been damaged or destroyed. With snowfall due very soon, the World Vision team are also planning to hand out over 2,000 quilts to those left without shelter due to the quake.
As the death toll rises to over 2,000 people following the 7.1 magnitude earthquake, tens of thousands have been left homeless. Hygiene, medical and health needs are currently at a critical stage in the remote Qinghai Province. World Vision is now working alongside the China Charity Federation to help coordinate the on site aid relief.
With temperatures in the area dropping as low as -3 degrees Celsius, blankets and warm clothing are essential to children and their families during this difficult time. 5,000 tents, 50,000 quilts and 50,000 winter jackets are to be sent to the devastated area by the China Ministry of Civil Affairs to help the survivors. Though the area population is just 70,000 people, the fact the quake hit very early in the morning accounts for the large number of casualties.
World Vision’s humanitarian emergency director, Victor Kan, said –
There has been a series of aftershocks and this can be very frightening for children. It is important that they seek safety in earthquake-proof buildings or open areas, away from hazardous buildings.
World Vision aid programme has reached over 2.1 million people since they started working in China in 1982. Since the 2008 Sichuan quake, World Vision has been at the forefront in providing education about safety disaster alongside helping communities rebuild homes, schools and livelihoods.
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