CHINA EARTHQUAKE
Emergency Alert - Updated May 28, 2008
You can help
our local partners
provide needed assistance.
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Background:
On May 12, 2008 a massive earthquake struck the Sichuan region of China. The magnitude 7.9 quake could be felt as far away as Vietnam and is the deadliest quake to strike the country since 1976 when 242,000 people were killed in Tangshan.
Official reports put the number of dead at just over 67,000 with an additional 20,000 missing. On May 25th and 26th several of the affected regions experienced powerful aftershocks—one being reported as a 5.6 magnitude—destroying thousands of homes and causing additional deaths and injuries. An additional 80,000 residents were evacuated from Sichuan province as workers rush to stem the overflow of Lake Tangjiashan.
While the initial focus of the Chinese government was recovery, attention is now turning to addressing the growing number of people left homeless by the devastating quake. More than 5 million people have been left homeless since the initial quake.
| LWR AND PARTNERS RESPOND TO THE CRISIS |
Lutheran World Relief (LWR) will respond to this disaster through our international partners in the global alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, a worldwide coalition of churches and faith-based aid agencies. ACT has pledged $1.5 million to assist close to 8,000 affected families in the most devastated areas. Immediate aid will include food and shelter supplies with longer-term aid focusing on reconstruction.
The best way to assist people caught in an emergency is to give cash so that our partner staff on the ground can be most effective.
To contribute online, click below. You will be given the opportunity to choose “China Earthquake” for your contribution.
Your gift will be used to respond to the “China Earthquake” until needs there are met. After that, further gifts will be used to help LWR respond where the need is greatest. Please also consider making an unrestricted donation which will enable LWR to respond quickly to the next emergency.
During regular business hours, Monday through Friday, you may also call 1-800-LWR-LWR-2, or mail a check or money order to:
Lutheran World Relief -
China Earthquake
P.O. Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832
USA
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emily Sollie, 410-230-2802 (office), 443-220-3269 (cell), esollie@lwr.org
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility. LWR is a member of Action by Churches Together.
