China Earthquake Response

SITUATION REPORT: December 19, 2023

At midnight local time on Monday, Dec 19, 2023, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck northwest China, particularly hitting Gansu province, causing at least 127 reported deaths and leaving over 700 people injured. President Xi Jinping promptly deployed thousands of rescue workers to the affected region, known for its economic challenges and diverse population. This earthquake, the deadliest in China since 2014, impacted the Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, home to various Chinese Muslim communities, and the remote area faced additional difficulties due to freezing temperatures dropping to -13°C.  

Entire villages have been torn apart by the quake, with buildings and houses collapsing. The poor quality of many old clay homes was identified as a significant factor contributing to the widespread damage. Jishishan county, one of the worst-hit areas, reported over 5,000 damaged buildings, along with mudslides and landslides damaging roads. Survivors described the experience as feeling like “being tossed by surging waves.”  

Rescue efforts were hindered by disrupted power and water supplies, and the sub-zero weather conditions present a critical challenge for reaching survivors in time. President Xi stressed the urgency of search and rescue operations to minimize casualties. China, located in a seismically active zone where tectonic plates meet, frequently experiences earthquakes. This recent disaster in Gansu and Qinghai provinces stands as the deadliest since the 2010 Yushu quake, which claimed nearly 2,700 lives. 

IMMEDIATE NEEDS

In the aftermath, pressing needs revolve around providing urgent shelter, medical care, and essential supplies for those affected. The challenges faced by victims, especially those who have lost their homes, are intensified by below-zero-degree-Celsius weather conditions. Many find themselves without shelter and in uncertain or temporary housing arrangements, highlighting the immediate necessity for tents and shelters.  

Ongoing rescue operations persistently prioritize the extraction of individuals trapped in debris and rubble, coupled with offering vital medical treatment for the injured. Relief efforts actively concentrate on addressing the immediate and critical requirements of the affected population, encompassing the provision of essential items such as food, shelter, and medical care. The primary goal is to ensure the well-being of both children and families in the aftermath of this disaster. 

CURRENT PROGRAMS & PARTNERS

Give2Asia is actively engaged in establishing and fostering partnerships with organizations dedicated to supporting relief and recovery efforts. During the current emergency response phase, Give2Asia is channeling its support towards various program priorities in collaboration with its partners. This includes addressing immediate basic needs such as the provision of food, clean water, and health services. Additionally, efforts are being directed towards ensuring access to education for children and providing economic rehabilitation services. 

China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD)  

CFRD, a longstanding partner of Give2Asia, and one of G2A’s DisasterLink partners in disaster programming in China. Established in 1989 and headquartered in Beijing, the China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD) is a non-governmental charitable organization registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, PRC, and supervised by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development. Since 2004, CFRD has expanded its operations internationally, responding to such disasters as the 2004 Indonesia tsunami and the 2011 drought in the Horn of Africa while also implementing development programs across Asia and Africa. In September 2016, CFRD became one of the first organizations certified by the Ministry of Civil Affairs as a charitable entity eligible for public fundraising. Leadership is held by President Wenkai Zheng, Executive Vice President Xingzui Wang, Vice President and Executive Director Wenkui Liu, and a dedicated board of directors.  

CFRD has previously received several notable awards and recognitions for its impactful initiatives. The Smiling Children School Feeding Program won the Best Poverty Reduction Case in the 2019 Global Poverty Reduction Case Award Competition. The Backbone Project (Health Insurance for Poor Families’ Labors) was chosen as one of the “2019 Top 10 Cases of Network Poverty Alleviation” in 2019. The “One Yuan Donation Initiative” project earned recognition as “The Most Influential Charity Project” at the 10th China Charity Awards in 2018. In 2017, CFRD received the 2016 Annual Special Contribution Award for Online Philanthropy from the China Internet Development Foundation. Moreover, the organization was honored with the title of Advanced Collective for Recovery and Reconstruction after the Lushan earthquake in Sichuan. 

CFRD’s emergency rescue efforts toward Gansu (Qinghai) Earthquake:

1. Emergency Rescue Stage: Provision of Emergency Supplies and Hot Meals
In response to the difficulties of house damage, freezing weather, power outages, and shortage of food, CFRD will prioritize the provision of quilts, tents, warm clothing, generators, drinking water, food packages, hot meals, and other basic living supplies for the affected areas, and the procurement of equipment for the clean-up and restoration work, such as excavators and loaders.

2. Provision of Employment Opportunities for Recovery
As houses collapsed, villages were filled with falling rocks and building debris. Roads, water pipes, and bridges were cracked, and houses, living facilities, and farmlands were severely damaged. In response, CFRD plans to provide funds to villages that urgently need to clean up roads, repair infrastructure, and resume production and life to allow them to rent the necessary machinery and subsidize villagers to participate in village clean-up and restoration works.

3. Post-disaster Stage: Disaster Reduction and Prevention Support
In order to improve local people’s awareness of disaster prevention and reduction, CFRD plans to build teams of first responders in villages to guarantee effective self-rescue and mutual-help actions when disaster occurs. CFRD also plans to carry out the “Disaster Reduction Classroom” Project in schools in the affected areas to enhance students’ disaster awareness and self-protection ability and improve schools’ comprehensive disaster prevention capacity.

HOW TO GIVE

All donations received by Give2Asia will help affected communities in China. Give2Asia will publish more details on the needs emerging in the coming days and weeks—and report on every dollar granted for relief and recovery. 

Click the “Donate” button above to make a credit card donation. For large gifts or corporate giving opportunities, please get in touch with our international giving team. 

CFRD is part of Give2Asia’s prepositioned DisasterLink network. See here for further information.