 On 20 th April, Ya’an, Lushan County in Sichuan Province, China, was hit by a large earthquake claiming around 200 lives and causing around 14,000 injuries.
At least 200,000 homes were destroyed and rural areas were particularly adversely affected. The damage to infrastructure also made it difficult for rescuers and aid workers to respond effectively. Amity issued the following report on the initial part of their contribution: “Nanjing-based Amity staff members rushed into Lushan County to release the first batch of supplies to a damaged Middle School as well as to prepare for Amity’s large-scale disaster relief distribution, scheduled to start on May 9. In this phase of emergency, Amity Foundation caters to the actual needs of the affected people. On May 3, the Hong Kong government’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) approved HK$5,304,000 (£460,000) to Amity Foundation Hong Kong, to help provide relief aid to the earthquake victims. On 9 May, Amity staff members from Hong Kong arrived in Ya’an, to join their Nanjing-based colleagues who were already in place. At the height of the operation, the team consisted of 30 members, including Nanjing and Hong Kong Amity staff, four colleagues from Amity printing press, and other volunteer members and drivers. Essentially, Amity staff had to overcome problems such as dangerous landslides, traffic accidents and difficulties in the logistics of 12 trucks loaded with relief supplies in difficult terrain and adverse surroundings. Despite such an unforgiving environment, Amity accomplished its tasks to distribute directly into the hands of victims emergency supplies, which included rice, cooking oil, cooking tools, tarpaulins, blankets, folding beds and other necessities. Up to May 22, Amity’s aid had reached 13,803 households of 50,091 people afflicted in Lushan County. Comments are closed.
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