Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Earthquake death toll nearly 10,000 in Sichuan, China - HOW CAN YOU HELP

As more news of destruction caused by yesterday's earthquake emerges, Xinhua says the death toll has reached nearly 10,000. The quake, with a magnitude of 7.8, was felt throughout China and in neighbouring countries, including Vietnam and Thailand.

The figure may climb as more remote parts of the affected areas are reached by rescue teams. President Hu Jintao has declared emergency relief of affected areas a national priority, the People's Liberation Army is being mobilized, and Premier Wen Jiabao is on the scene again rallying the citizens.

Xinhua has a special page updated with earthquake news here.

Shanghaiist just posted on how you can help the victims of China's recent earthquake. Here's the info, straight from Shanghaiist:

For those who are looking to contribute to current aid efforts underway, you can now donate money to the Red Cross Society of China which has formed a disaster relief working group to be dispatched to the earthquake-stricken Wenchuan County in Sichuan.

They have also published an emergency relief hotline, along with bank account information to receive donations to assist their cause:

Account name: Red Cross Society of China开户单位:中国红十字会总会

For those who want to donate in RMB: you can send money to the RMB account at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China branch below: 人民币开户行: 中国工商银行 北京分行东四南支行人民币账号: 0200001009014413252

For those who want to donate in foreign currency, you can send money to the foreign currency account at the CITIC Bank branch below:外币开户行:中信银行酒仙桥支行外币账号: 7112111482600000209

Hotline: (8610) 65139999Online donations: Red Cross Society of China website: http://www.redcross.org.cn/ Click the tab for online donations.

At the time when the earthquake took place, I was in Shanghai but felt nothing though many of my friends who were in higher floors felt the building were shaking. Most buildings in Shanghai were evacuated and later did they come to realise of the seriousness of the event that had taken place close to Chengdu.

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