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China - Providing Relief & Preparing for the Future

Disasters in China have increased in number and severity over the past decade. Often, it is the same people who face the continuous onslaught of disasters – losing their incomes, homes and resiliency to cope. The Canadian Red Cross provides immediate relief to those affected by disaster. But our help doesn't stop there. We know that by preparing for disasters, people can cope better and return to their normal lives more quickly.

Saving Lives

	Often,the same people are hit year after year by floods. Losing their homes and livelihoods puts them into a downward cycle of poverty.

Over the past ten years, the Canadian Red Cross has responded to more than 20 different requests for help and given close to $8 million to people affected by disasters in China. In 1998 alone, the Chinese-Canadian community and others generously donated more than $1 million to help those who lost their homes and livelihoods in China's worst flood of the century which affected 180 million people. These funds, combined with the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) contribution of $700,000, made Canada the largest single donor country to the relief appeal.

Preparing for Disasters

Red Cross programs focus on saving lives and reducing injuries in the inevitable future disasters by preparing at the community level.

Working in partnership, the Canadian Red Cross and th Red Cross Society of China are designing and implementing an effective disaster plan to decrease suffering for local people affected by disasters. The Canadian Red Cross has donated $1 million to develop and maintain four Disaster Relief and Preparedness Centers in areas of the country that are the most susceptible to disasters.

To get ready for future disasters, we are:

	Canadian Red Cross actively raises funds to ensure emergency supplies are available whenever a disaster may strike.

Stocking necessities - By purchasing essential items such as food, medical supplies, water sanitation kits, tents and blankets, before a disaster strikes, we can ensure that supplies are on hand so people will not wait for relief goods. to be sent from other countries.

Computerizing the Chinese Red Cross – By implementing a networked computer system within the Chinese Red Cross, trained volunteers and staff can easily assess damages from natural disasters, dispatch relief supplies quickly to those most in need and better communicate internally and externally. The computer system that the CRC has supported is equipped with an internationally recognized financial management system to provide a more efficient tracking system for donors.

Help the most vulnerable in China by supporting these vital disaster relief and preparedness projects. Contact your local Red Cross, call 1-800-418-1111 or e-mail yunhong.zhang@redcross.ca.

Updated February 2, 2007