August 8, 2007

Tens of millions of people across southwestern, central and eastern China are grappling with the aftermath of recent floods that, since June, have killed more than 332 people and have affected more than 5.4 million.

Continuous torrential rain has led to devastating flash floods, landslides and mudflows. Flood-affected areas include Guangdong, Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Chongqing, Hebei and Shandong provinces. Heading the list of worst hit flood-stricken areas are Chongqing (Municipality) and Anhui and Jiangsu provinces.

RESPONSE: CWS is responding to this disaster by supporting the Amity Foundation, a long-time CWS partner and fellow Action by Churches (ACT) International member. The Amity Foundation plans to provide assistance to 5,000 vulnerable families in Chongqing Municipality and in Anhui and Jiangsu provinces. The planned emergency relief includes rice, quilts, sheets and mosquito nets to 4,000 families.

Should funding be sufficient, a further 1,000 families will also be assisted through rehabilitation projects including repair to houses, schools, health facilities, water and irrigation systems. Some of the rehabilitation projects might be extended to Hunan and Sichuan, depending on needs.

Specific objectives of this response include providing 15 kilos of rice per person to 4,000 individuals from about 1,500 homeless, evacuated and severely affected families; providing one quilt per family, for 4,000 families; providing one blanket per family, for 4,000 families; providing one mosquito net per family, for 4,000 families.

As well: to help rebuild 500 houses, for 500 families; help rebuild six school buildings; help repair five clinics or hospitals; help rebuild five drinking water systems; help reconstruct six irrigation systems.

Contributions to support this emergency appeal may be sent to your denomination or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN, 46515. Contributions may also be made by credit card online, or by calling: (800) 297-1516, ext. 222.

Media Contact: Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676; lcrosson@churchworldservice.org