China (Qinghai) earthquake

Note: The following appeal is now closed.  You can support our ongoing work by donating to the Canadian Red Cross

 

China: Red Cross responds to massive earthquake

The strongest earthquake in over three decades in the remote mountainous area of China’s Qinghai Province on April 14 killed at least 617 people and injured more than 10,000.

The earthquake toppled some 15,000 residential buildings affecting about 100,000 people. It also cut electricity, water and communication and triggered landslides that blocked roads linking worst hit areas with the nearest airport.

Immediate response 

Local Red Cross volunteers provided immediate support to search and rescue efforts and the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) dispatched 500 tents, 4,000 quilts and 4,000 sets of winter clothes.

Two medical teams from the Beijing Red Cross branch were also deployed along with eight ambulances, first-aid, surgery and food aid units plus communications equipment. The RCSC also deployed one each of the water and sanitation units it used during the Sichuan Earthquake operation in 2008.

The Canadian Red Cross has been an important partner of the Chinese Red Cross in areas of disaster relief and disaster preparedness in China for the last 17 years and is on standby to assist if requested.

Canadians wishing to help can donate to the China (Qinghai) Earthquake Appeal online, by telephone at 1-800-418-1111, or by contacting their local Canadian Red Cross office.