The China Earthquake

I'm sure that you have all heard about the horrible earthquake in China. We've been getting email updates through Half the Sky. Here are some highlights from their latest update:

Dear friends,I know you have been waiting eagerly for more news of how the children are faring during the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake in Sichuan. We have now set up a procedure whereby we can get an update from the Ministry of Civil affairs each day. They are supervising all relief efforts so have the most complete and accurate information available. We also now have contact information for all affected welfare institutions and have begun the process of reaching out to them directly to see if they need help.

As of now, Wednesday afternoon in China, there are 12,012 people dead and 7,841 missing in Sichuan alone, and the numbers continue to rise. 26,206 people are living in temporary shelters. Only 30 children of 900 have been rescued from the collapsed high school in Dujiangyan, Sichuan. At least 20 children were buried in the collapse of a primary school in Liangping, Chongqing.What follows are the welfare institutions closest to the epicenter:Mianyang, Zitong County, Dujiangyan, Deyang and Guanguan. The following is a preliminary, and not necessarily complete, list of institutions which are also potentially affected: Wenjiang County,Neijiang, Rongxian, Zigong, Ganzizhou, Panzhihua, Luzhou, Santai County,Leshan, Suining, Nanchong, Guang'an. We will have a full list later today or early tomorrow. While we've heard rumors about some of the above, we won't pass on that information until we've made direct contact and verified. I want to stress that we've heard no reports of children in the welfare institutions being injured, only that some have been relocated for their safety.

In cooperation with China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, Half the Sky has set up the Children's Earthquake Fund. The Fund will provide direct aid to the thousands of children who are suffering in the wake of the earthquake and aftershocks. Donations will be used to provide emergency and long-term relief to children affected by the disaster, including emergency shelter, food, and medical care for children orphaned or separated from their families, as well as temporary or long-term fostercare or, if necessary, temporary institutional care. The ministry has guaranteed that the funds will be used only to help the children.

If you'd like to donate to the Children's Earthquake Fund mentioned above, just click here.