Church World Service: Emergency Response Program
CWS Emergency Situation Report: 2008 China Earthquake
May 12, 2008


SITUATION

A Magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck the southwest China province of 
Sichuan, killing at least 8,500 people. The state-run Chinese news 
agency Xinhua reports an estimated 900 students are buried under rubble 
in a high school near Dujiangyan. The New York Times reports this is the 
deadliest quake to strike China since 1976.

Information continues to trickle out of the damage area, compromised by 
the toppling of more than 2,000 cell phone towers and collapsed 
buildings. As Chinese authorities continue to gain access to damaged 
areas the death toll is expected to rise.


CWS RESPONSE

CWS is in contact with Amity Foundation, a longtime partner that works 
extensively in China. CWS staff continues to monitor this situation 
closely and will provide financial and material resources support as 
needed.

For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is 
responding please visit www.churchworldservice.org or call the CWS 
Hotline, (800) 297-1516.

CWS Emergency Response Program special contacts: (212) 870-3151

Program Director: dderr@churchworldservice.org
Domestic: bvollmering@churchworldservice.org

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
   Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                               guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -