Massive Quake Hits China, Death Toll Expected to Rise

World Vision staff ready to deploy relief supplies to the affected area

HONG KONG, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A powerful 7.9 magnitude earthquake has killed at least 8,500 people and injured an additional 10,000 in Wenchuan County, a southwestern Sichuan province about 200 km from where World Vision has a community-based project.

The quake struck at 2:28 p.m. local time, collapsing buildings and telecommunication systems in the area. World Vision has not yet established contact with its team in Sichuan and the agency is concerned about the rising death count.

"People are going to need immediate supplies such as temporary shelters, blankets, medicines, clothing, food and water," said Victor Kan, World Vision's emergency response director for China, speaking from Hong Kong.

World Vision staff in nearby Yunnan, Guansu and Shaanxi provinces felt the quake but reported no known damage to the areas. The agency's emergency response and communications staff based in Yunnan are on stand-by and are ready to be deployed, while its regional emergency response teams are monitoring the situation.

"It wouldn't be surprising to see the death toll continue to rise in a situation like this," Kan said.

World Vision is experienced at responding to disasters in China, having provided aid to survivors of the harsh 2008 winter blizzard that swept across the nation, as well as to the 7.3 magnitude quake that struck Xinjiang in northwestern China in March.

World Vision has worked in China since 1962 and currently has relief and development projects benefiting 4 million people across the country.

World Vision staff in the region are available for interviews. Please contact Casey Calamusa at 206.310.5476 or ccalamus@worldvision.org or Rachel Wolff at 253.394.2214.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.org/press .

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Source: World Vision

CONTACT: Casey Calamusa of World Vision, +1-206-310-5476,
ccalamus@worldvision.org, or Rachel Wolff, +1-253-394-2214

Web site: http://www.worldvision.org/
http://www.worldvision.org/press

2008-05-12 20:38:24 0359477 PRNEWSWIRE