On April 14th 2010 an earthquake measuring between 6.9 and 7.1 on the Richter scale struck thirty kilometers from Jyekundo, the capital of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Qinghai Province, China) causing widespread destruction. State media reports suggest that approximately 85% of all buildings in the city of ~100,000 people were destroyed. 1,706 people have been reported dead, 256 are missing, and thousands are injured.
Friendship Charity Association (FCA) first contacted its long-term partner organization the Huaqiao Foundation (http://www.huaqiaofoundation.org/) at 2 p.m. on April 14 2010 in order to organize the delivery of aid to the Yushu earthquake. FCA is based in Xining, about 800km from the earthquake epicenter. Shortly after contacting Huaqiao, we also contacted several other donors and friends and were thus able to collect 30,055 RMB.
Early on the morning of April 15, FCA requested its staff members and volunteers to go to local stores to purchase food, water, clothes, tents, bedding, and medical supplies. Everything was prepared by 7 p.m.
With five people guiding two trucks, the team arrived in Yushu at 6:24 p.m. on April 16.
Coordinating with local friends and NGOs in Yushu, the FCA team members distributed the supplies. The evening we arrived and complied lists of needy individuals and families. First thing next morning we distributed supplies.
FCA is now seeking further funding for disaster relief and is continuing to coordinate with our local partners in Yushu to determine their needs.
