Silver Spring, Maryland--—The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is stepping up its assistance to the survivors of the deadly 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck southwest China's Sichuan Province on May 12, providing food aid, water, and shelter materials for those in need.

ADRA's emergency response efforts are centered in Jiulong town and surrounding villages where approximately 12,000 people are expected to receive direct assistance. ADRA's emergency personnel, among them 40 volunteers, have already conducted the first distribution of relief goods, with the assistance of local authorities. So far, a total of five distribution points are being planned. Relief supplies include tents, tarpaulins, and individual food baskets, which contain 5.5 lbs of rice (2.5 kg) 1.1 lbs of green beans (0.5 kg), 1.1 lbs of peanuts (0.5 kg), 1.5 lbs of cereal (700 grams), and six 20.3 fl oz-bottles (600 ml) of water. Boxes of medical aid have also been distributed to the medical center of the town of Jiulong. More emergency supplies are on their way to the disaster site.

The current situation on the ground continues to be tense and uncertain due to ongoing aftershocks, the risk of epidemic, landslides, and heavy rains. The quake, which killed more than 32,400, has left 9,500 missing, injured 220,000, and displaced 5.7 million, according to official government reports from May 18.

The Sichuan earthquake hit southwestern China at 2:28 p.m. local time (6:28 a.m. GMT) and was felt as far as Beijing and Bangkok, Thailand. Several lower-scale earthquakes have followed since May 12, according to the State Seismological Bureau of China, including more than 2,300 aftershocks, three of them reaching magnitude 6. This disaster is considered the worst earthquake since 1976 in which more than 240,000 people died.

Updates will be released as response efforts expand.

To send your contribution to ADRA's emergency response effort, please contact ADRA at 1.800.424.ADRA (2372) or give to the Emergency Response fund at www.adra.org.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

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Author: Hearly Mayr / Nadia McGill

Media Contact: Hearly Mayr ADRA International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301.680.6376 E-mail: Media.Inquiries@adra.org