New Zealand
China Earthquake
On 12 May, China experienced a major earthquake measuring 8 on the Richter scale. Thousands of people have been confirmed dead, thousands more are injured, with many more still missing.
The earthquake destroyed infrastructure and buildings leaving adults and children trapped under mounds of debris.
"These are dangerous times for children with shifting rubble, thousands of people wandering homeless and aftershocks from the quake still reminding them of the disaster they've been through. These children desperately need to have a safe area they know they can go to for some sense of normality and help to overcome the enormity of what they've just experienced," says Zhong Hang, Director of Support Services for Save the Children in China.
Personal accounts:
1813 children have been benefitted from seven Save the Children Child Friendly Spaces in Mianzhu, An County, Qingchuan, and Pengzhou counties. 92 trained local volunteers are running activities in shifts in the Child Friendly Spaces helping children to play, learn, and develop safely.
Read three personal accounts from quake survivors.
The situation:
- According to the Information Office of the State Council, the death toll reached 65,080 deaths, 360,058 injured, and 23,150 missing as of noon May 26, 2008.
- At least 5,498 children were left alone in Sichuan Province's quake zone, either because they were separated or unaccompanied.
- 100,000 people were evacuated from Beichuan county due to fears of flooding. Landslides into the Jian river caused natural dams, forming massive “quake lakes.”
- Government officials announced that they will make some exceptions to the strict “one child” policy for families whose child was killed, lost, or severely disabled in the earthquake.
- A strong aftershock measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck Qingchuan County in Sichuan Province on the Sunday afternoon. The aftershock destroyed or severely damaged about 270,000 houses and was felt across China.Two people died and more than 480 were injured, 41 seriously.
What we've done:
Save the Children has been working in China for 13 years. After the earthquake, our staff immediately began setting up safe areas for children orphaned by the quake. We've also set up temporary schools, providing support and stability to child survivors of the earthquake.
We've reached almost 4,000 children, but many more need help.
What you can do:
Donate online or call 0800 167 168 to donate over the phone
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