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ASIA-PACIFIC 
Red Cross launches China quake appeal
Friday, 16 May, 2008
Chinese quake survivors shelter in pipes (Getty)
Charities Red Cross and Red Crescent have launched an emergency appeal for AU$20.7 million to support 100,000 survivors of the devastating Chinese earthquake over the next 12 months.
The appeal will fund the Chinese Red Cross in the region which has already deployed five medical teams to provide emergency assistance to thousands of earthquake victims.
All the latest news on the quake
China earthquake: How you can help
In Pictures: Devastation in China
The Red Cross has sent two emergency relief teams to two of the worst affected areas to distribute aid and set up tents for people who have lost their homes.
Shelter, food and clean water
Local volunteers have already distributed about AU$660,877 worth of tents, quilts and food, according to IFRC.
The operation will concentrate first on emergency relief, providing shelter, food and water purification tablets and then on building 1,000 new homes.
"Immediate relief is vital but at the same time we need to begin looking beyond this critical phase and towards helping people get back on their feet," said Dr Thomas Gurtner, IFRC director of programs and coordination in Geneva.
The earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the province of Sichuan on Monday. It was the worst quake to hit China in 30 years, killing an estimated 50,000 people.
Source: SBS/DPA
The appeal will fund the Chinese Red Cross in the region which has already deployed five medical teams to provide emergency assistance to thousands of earthquake victims.
All the latest news on the quake
China earthquake: How you can help
In Pictures: Devastation in China
The Red Cross has sent two emergency relief teams to two of the worst affected areas to distribute aid and set up tents for people who have lost their homes.
Shelter, food and clean water
Local volunteers have already distributed about AU$660,877 worth of tents, quilts and food, according to IFRC.
The operation will concentrate first on emergency relief, providing shelter, food and water purification tablets and then on building 1,000 new homes.
"Immediate relief is vital but at the same time we need to begin looking beyond this critical phase and towards helping people get back on their feet," said Dr Thomas Gurtner, IFRC director of programs and coordination in Geneva.
The earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the province of Sichuan on Monday. It was the worst quake to hit China in 30 years, killing an estimated 50,000 people.
Source: SBS/DPA
