Church World Serverice: Emergency Response Program
CWS Emergency Appeal Update: 2008 China Earthquake
May 27, 2008


SITUATION

As the death toll from the most catastrophic earthquake to hit China in
more than two decades continues to climb, survivors are coping with
damaging aftershocks that complicate relief efforts. More than 67,000
have been killed, another 20,000 remain missing and millions are
homeless. Tuesday's aftershock alone destroyed 420,000 homes.

Chinese officials continue to be concerned about the failure of dams,
reservoirs and lakes formed by debris blocking streams and rivers. More
than 150,000 people will have been evacuated by Tuesday night as a
precaution.

Frequent aftershocks keep relief workers responding to sites across
Sichuan Province's 180,000 square miles.  Agencies continue to find
people in need of food, water, shelter and counseling wherever they
respond.


CWS RESPONSE

Church World Service supports the work of its longtime partner, Amity
Foundation. A nine-member, front-line social work team from Amity is at
work in Mianzhu, conducting needs assessments and preliminary
psycho-social counseling at a camp for 6,000 displaced persons in a
stadium. CWS is also supporting Amity in its effort to provide basic
relief assistance in the form of water, food and blankets to many of the
displaced, as well as counseling, powdered rice and 20,000 boxes of
diapers specifically for children affected by the quake.


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

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


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