Appeal

China - Ning'er County

Assistance to Earthquake Affected ASCN71

Appeal Target: US$ 211,579

Geneva, 12 June 2007

On 4 June 2007, a strong earthquake of magnitude 6.4 on the Richter Scale hit Ning'er County on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, southern Yunnan Province. The quake was the most serious in 30 years causing widespread damage in five counties. Of these five counties, Ning'er county is the worst affected with all nine townships sustaining significant damage. As at 5 June the death toll was three and 562 people were reported as injured. Latest statistics from the Ning'er Disaster Relief Headquarters report that 242,000 houses in rural areas have been damaged, 11,400 houses collapsed and 140,000 houses severely damaged. 536,000 people from Ning'er and nearby counties have been affected and 180,000 evacuated. The quake damaged pipes, cutting off water supplies and communication lines were down.

The government and various organisations have released funds and provided relief materials. However, ACT member the Amity Foundation has reported that the needs are still far greater than the assistance provided so far. Ning'er County is one of the poorest counties in China where most of the farmers live in houses constructed of wood and mud which are easily destroyed in an earthquake. According to Amity Foundation, sufficient tents have now been provided for basic shelter. However, with the rains continuing, villagers still need plastic sheeting to protect food and seeds as well as their other basic belongings to mitigate against further losses and increased vulnerability. There is also a serious lack of potable water and food in the affected areas.

Amity Foundation is currently planning to help meet the basic needs of 2,000 of the most vulnerable families that have been rendered homeless and who have not received any help from the government or other agencies. During the crisis phase it is planned to provide basic food and shelter (rice, quilts and plastic sheeting) to help meet the most urgent needs. Assistance for reconstruction of 100 houses, two village schools and three irrigation systems is planned during the post crisis phase.

Project Completion Date: 31 May 2008

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FOR THE FULL TEXT OF TH APPEAL (PDF FILE), KINDLY VISIT THE ACT SITE. THANK YOU. ________________________________________________________________________________

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested (US$):

Total Appeal Target(s): 211,579

Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd.: 0

Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: 211,579

Please kindly send your contributions to either of the following ACT bank accounts:

US dollar

Account Number - 240-432629.60A

IBAN No: CH46 0024 0240 4326 2960A

Euro

Euro Bank Account Number - 240-432629.50Z

IBAN No: CH84 0024 0240 4326 2950Z

Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together

UBS AG

8, rue du Rhône

P.O. Box 2600

1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND

Swift address: UBSW CHZH12A

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (jkg@act-intl.org) and the Programme Officer, Michelle Yonetani (myo@act-intl.org), of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind co-operation.

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.