Mercy Corps and Chinese Partner Start Earthquake Response in Sichuan Province
- Beijing-based staff deployed to earthquake-torn Sichuan Province - Death toll climbs past 12,000; more than 26,000 injured PORTLAND, Ore., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mercy Corps is working on the ground in Sichuan Province to support the earthquake response efforts of its strategic partner the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA). The agency has deployed two Beijing-based staff to Chengdu, a city about 100 km from the earthquake's epicenter in the eastern part of Sichuan, to assess needs and determine next steps with CFPA and other potential partners.
"We are well-positioned to respond to this tragedy with CFPA, our partner for many years," explained Paul Dudley Hart, Mercy Corps senior vice president. "We are hearing that people in the affected areas sorely need basics like food, water and medical supplies." The 7.9-magnitude earthquake ripped through China yesterday, leaving misery and destruction in its wake. The news agency Xinhua reports that more than 12,000 people were killed in the central Chinese province of Sichuan, and more than 26,000 people have been injured.
It is believed that approximately 18,500 people are buried under collapsed buildings in the city of Mianyang, which is close to the epicenter of the quake. Casualties have been confirmed in the provinces and municipality of Sichuan, Gansu, Chongqing and Yunnan. Damage to homes, schools and factories, as well as road and railways, is extensive. Mercy Corps staff in Chengdu are working with CFPA to meet the most pressing needs of survivors. CFPA expects to provide food, water, temporary shelter and possibly medical supplies to people in the affected areas. Mercy Corps has also received a request for pharmaceuticals, clothing, and other emergency supplies from another potential Chinese partner, and the agency anticipates supporting that partner as well. Mercy Corps has a history of work in Sichuan Province, home to the agency's Project GLOW, which addresses key social issues for youth of the impoverished and disenfranchised Yi ethnic minority. The agency has confirmed that all of its staff and beneficiaries in the province are safe. CFPA has worked with Mercy Corps for seven years on poverty alleviation projects in rural areas of 14 Chinese provinces. The agency has focused on helping CFPA provide microfinance services to the rural poor in China, but has also collaborated on past emergency response efforts with CFPA. According to media reports, the Chinese government welcomes foreign donations of money and materials, but is not accepting outside teams of rescue and relief workers. HOW TO HELP: Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly impossible odds. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided $1.5 billion in assistance to people in 106 nations. Supported by headquarters offices in North America and Europe, the agency's unified global programs employ 3,500 staff worldwide and reach nearly 16.4 million people in more than 35 countries. First Call Analyst:
CONTACT: Joy Portella of Mercy Corps, +1-206-437-7885, Web Site: http://www.mercycorps.org/
2008-05-13 20:08:07 0360913 PRNEWSWIRE
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