08412
May 28, 2008
PDA sends $50,000 to earthquake-battered China
Money will go for food, tarps and quilts
LOUISVILLE — Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has sent $50,000 from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering to help meet the needs of survivors of the massive earthquake that rocked central China earlier this month.
Assistance includes providing food support to 16,000 of the most vulnerable people in the quake-battered country and distribution of 8,000 tarpaulins and quilts to help families protect and shelter themselves from the elements, according to a recent situation report issued by PDA, the disaster-response and relief agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The official death toll from the magnitude 7.8 temblor rose to 68,109 today (May 28) with about 19,850 people still missing, according to news reports. The total number of dead has been increasing daily. The government estimates that 45 million people, mostly in Sichuan province, were affected by the earthquake and that five million were left homeless.
PDA is working in the region through its long-time mission partner, Amity Foundation, an independent Chinese voluntary organization, which has experience in disaster response. The group immediately provided food and drinking water to thousands in heavily damaged areas after the earthquake struck on May 12.
Amity is taking the lead in a response by Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, the Swiss-based group that assists people caught in natural and environmental disasters, as well as in emergencies caused by war and civil conflict. Both Amity and PDA are members of ACT.
Amity has deployed staff to the region and is focusing assistance in the severely impacted provinces of Gansu, Sha’anxi and Sichuan.
Following the initial crisis phase, the organization will assist in rebuilding communities, including 600 homes, 10 schools and five clinics. Other rehabilitation assistance will focus on destroyed or severely damaged water and irrigation systems.
Amity, which works in close coordination with local government authorities, has also set up a coordination team that includes Amity staff, local partner staff, and members of various Christian councils, according to PDA.
Financial contributions for China may be sent through normal mission-giving channels by designating gifts for the following account: DR000138.
Gifts by credit card can be made by calling PresbyTel at (800) 872-3283, or online. Checks payable to the PC(USA) can be mailed to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Individual Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700 or to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Central Receiving Services, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202.
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