Relief Items to China Earthquake Survivors

Oxfam Distributes Relief Items to China Earthquake Survivors

Blankets for 2,000 people have been distributed by Oxfam International as part of relief efforts to help survivors of the deadly earthquake that hit the Yushu County area in the southeastern Qinghai Province in China. Items were distributed in a temporary camp in the town of Jiegu in Qinghai. With 20,000 people living in the camp, further aid is urgently required. A second shipment of blankets for 2,000 more people is being flown from Oxfam’s warehouse and is due to arrive at the camp today.

Deputy Programme Manager of the Rural Development and Disaster Management team, Aman Yee, said temperatures are at freezing point: “Survivors in tents urgently need blankets to stay warm and to stay alive. Oxfam has assisted 2,000 people in Jiegu so far and tomorrow we will assist another 2,000.”

Oxfam International is also providing relief in Shiqu, a county in Sichuan which was also badly hit by the earthquake. Blankets for 2,000 people and rolls of durable waterproof fabric for 4,000 people, which act as temporary shelter, will soon be distributed there.

Zhai Fan, Manager of the Rural Development and Disaster Management team, said in spite of high-altitude sickness, Oxfam workers are pressing on.

“They have now adapted and are able to work in the affected region. They have medicine on hand, and doctors are available if sickness returns. The Oxfam team is currently planning an appropriate emergency response, together with the support of the local government in Shiqu.”

Oxfam has initial plans to spend $360,000 on relief and rehabilitation projects. The organisation has assisted in previous emergencies in Qinghai, such as the massive snowstorms in 1997 and again in 2008. Oxfam also has a five-year rehabilitation plan in effect in Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi, following the May 2008 earthquake.

To help enable a quick response to emergencies like this one, donations can be made to the Oxfam Rapid Response Emergency Fund by calling 0800 400 666 or on the Oxfam website:

http://www.oxfam.org.nz/index.asp?s1=Donate%20Online&s2=Current%20Emergencies

ENDS

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