25 August 2008
Three months after the 12 May earthquake that shattered large areas of Gansu, Shaanxi and Sichuan, Oxfam Hong Kong announced that it has helped survivors in 105 townships and village
China earthquake
Outline
A devastating earthquake hit southwestern China on Monday 12 May. It is thought that more than 50,000 people may have died in the 7.9-magnitude earthquake.
Oxfam's response
We are responding to the earthquake through Oxfam Hong Kong which has allocated $1.5 million for emergency relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work.
Our team of 14 staff are currently at work in nine locations in the quake-hit zones of Sichuan and Gansu, focusing on assisting survivors in remote rural areas. At least 60,000 people have benefited from our relief work so far.
Supplies of food have now reached Xiushui, and we are currently prioritizing children, women, and elderly people in our distributions.
Oxfam's epidemic prevention team has also started examining the water and assessing the needs of people in affected communities. This work includes providing public health training to local volunteers.
"We are communicating closely with government units in Sichuan and Gansu to make sure we do not duplicate their efforts, and to use our resources effectively." - John Sayer, Director General of Oxfam Hong Kong
We anticipate carrying out a long-term rehabilitation program to provide support in livelihoods restoration and infrastructure recovery.
Donate now to Oxfam's China Earthquake Appeal
Updates
16 May 2008
Hong Kong - Oxfam Hong Kong teams are at work in Sichuan and Gansu Provinces, focusing on providing water and public health facilities for survivors in remote rural areas, as the pub
