(Ottawa) – The Red Cross is rapidly mobilizing to meet the needs of thousands of people affected by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Lushan, China. According to initial assessments more than 2,000 people are injured and over 120,000 people have been forced from their homes.
"The Red Cross continues to work around the clock to provide survivors with life-saving assistance," says Conrad Sauvé, secretary general and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. “Hundreds of thousands of people are in critical need of temporary shelter, drinking water, rainproof tarps, and food."
The Red Cross Society of China responded immediately by mobilizing teams of disaster responders and supplies including over 2,500 tents, 10,650 family kits and 7,000 jackets. In addition, teams are supporting search and rescue operations for those who may still be trapped under collapsed buildings.
"The Canadian Red Cross has launched a fundraising campaign in support of their response and remains on standby to rapidly mobilize emergency relief items and disaster experts if needed,” adds Sauvé.
The needs in China are significant, and the Red Cross encourages Canadians to donate at www.redcross.ca, call 1-800-418-1111 or contact their local Canadian Red Cross office. The 24-hour toll free line accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “LUSHAN CHINA EARTHQUAKE 2013” and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross National Office, 400 Cooper Street, Suite 8000, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 2H8.
The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and over 185 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.