Press Release
British Red Cross launches China earthquake appeal
14 May 2008
The British Red Cross (BRC) is launching an urgent appeal to help those affected by the Chinese earthquake.
An immediate £25,000 from the BRC Disaster Fund has already been released as part of an initial response to the devastation. All funds raised from the appeal will support Red Cross work in China.
More than 15,000 people have died and 20,000 were injured when the devastating earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck Sichuan province on 12 May. Local branches of the Red Cross Society of China are providing emergency relief assistance to the victims as search and rescue teams continue to look for survivors.
“This is a major disaster with tens of thousands dead and injured, and many still trapped in the rubble,” said Matthias Schmale head of the British Red Cross’ international division.
“With more than 80 per cent of the buildings in the town of Beichuan destroyed, there are thousands of people left homeless. The Red Cross has already set up ten relief sites in the neighbouring county of An, with hundreds of tents in each. Food and drinking water are the main priorities and medical staff and supplies are also needed to help the scores of injured.”
“The British Red Cross will be doing all it can to continue to support the relief effort to make sure those affected by the China earthquake receive the help they urgently need.”
Red Cross volunteers from nearby Chengdu are on the ground providing help with rescue and first aid, and distributing relief supplies – tents, quilts, water and food – with more aid coming in from surrounding provinces today. Red Cross relief workers are also providing shelter to thousands of people left homeless.
Two Red Cross emergency medical teams from other provinces have arrived, with three more on their way to the disaster area. Many roads remained blocked, making it difficult to get supplies and rescue teams to the affected area.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has allocated 250,000 Swiss francs (£122,000) in emergency funds to support the Red Cross Society of China in delivering immediate assistance to those affected by the earthquake in Sichuan province.
Barclays Bank has donated £100,000 to the Appeal and the Freemasons' Grand Charity was the first organisation to respond to the appeal with a grant of £20,000 to assist the Red Cross in providing relief to those affected.
To donate to the BRC Disaster relief fund visit www.redcross.org.uk/quakeappeal or call 0845 054 7201. Postal donations can be sent to China Earthquake Appeal, PO Box 1217, Sunderland SR9 9WD.
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