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On May 12, 2008, an 8.0-magnitude earthquake devastated the south-western provinces of China leaving more than 69,000 dead 18,000 missing, 375,000 injured and over 15 million people displaced. Thanks to the tireless efforts of 153,000 Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) staff and volunteers, with the support of the International Red Cross Movement more than one million survivors have received Red Cross relief supplies.
Canada's diplomacy with China occurs through government and business, but also through civil society. The relationship between the Canadian and Chinese Red Cross Societies is a good example of this, following a long tradition of cooperation initiated by Norman Bethune.
The Chinese Red Cross has augmented its leadership role in China, growing from a government arm, to a more autonomous organization that provides humanitarian aid domestically and abroad.
Canadian Red Cross response:
The Canadian Red Cross has been an important partner of the Chinese Red Cross in areas of disaster relief and disaster preparedness for the last 20 years, responding more than 20 times to support emergency activities during earthquakes, typhoon, and floods in China. This history of support is continuing in this most recent response.
During the emergency phase of operations, the Canadian Red Cross delivered 7,250 urgently-needed tents to survivors and supported the Government of Canada’s deployment of 700 additional tents. Canadian Red Cross also sent our Asia Program Manager, Yunhong Zhang, to lead the International Red Cross response.
The Canadian Red Cross has provided the largest number of international delegates to the operation, with four delegates currently supporting recovery efforts in the areas of finance, water and sanitation, construction and coordination.
The Canadian Red Cross will continue to support earthquake survivors through the reconstruction of homes and health centres in earthquake affected communities. Other recovery efforts include water, sanitation and community-based health initiatives.
Overall Red Cross response:
Today, the International Red Cross Movement has either built or begun construction of more than 15,000 homes, out of a total 70,000 planned homes in the three worst affected provinces. The Red Cross is also supporting the construction of 450 schools and 1,500 medical clinics and hospitals.
Programs now underway will help people generate income, heal the emotional impact of the disaster and provide households with clean water.
Red Cross reconstruction efforts and integrated community-based programs are expected to continue through April 2011.