Aid and Assistance to China Earthquake Survivors

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked Ya’an Prefecture in central China in late April killed nearly 200 people and affected 2 million across 115 counties. With an office in the quake zone and a strong history of responding to disasters in the area, including the 2008 earthquake in the same region, we at Mercy Corps were able to mobilize quickly and provide immediate relief to survivors because of supporters like you.

Along with our local partner, China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), we reached even the most remote communities to assess and respond to their needs, with an initial focus on water and hygiene provisions.

Over two months later, people are still living in tents, their homes destroyed — and we are still responding to the needs of the community. 

Thanks to the generous support of donors like you working together we have been able to provide the following:

• Hygiene kits: We have distributed over 28,000 packages including soap, toothbrushes, diapers and other health care essentials to families. Learn more and see photos 
• Day care centers: We’re opening urgently needed safe spaces for children to spend time and engage in activities while their parents work on rebuilding their homes, businesses and communities and seek new job opportunities. 
• Comfort for Kids and Moving Forward: Our signature child psychosocial programs launched last month that help children and their families cope with the trauma and stress caused by the disaster.

While our current focus is on the immediate needs of survivors, in the weeks ahead we will turn our attention to longer term recovery efforts — both for families and for small businesses, helping people bounce back, while building resilience to future shocks.

In recent emergencies like the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, we provided business start-up and reemployment grants to kickstart the local economies, putting people back to work and strengthening markets. In past emergencies we have also provided Rebuilding Kits, giving families the tools they need to rebuild or deconstruct their homes to salvage personal belongings amidst the rubble.

In disaster prone places, we also work hard to help communities prepare for the next emergency — establishing early warning systems, training community members in disaster preparedness and more — all with the goal of building resilience and decreasing the devastating impact of future events.

By joining together, you and our partners have helped us reach over 110,000 individuals. It's just the beginning.

Thank you for your support to improve the lives of those affected by this earthquake. Together, we are making a difference!

Links:

• Hygiene kits help earthquake survivors in remote villages
• Mercy Corps' ongoing work in China
• Mercy Corps in the world's toughest places