Homes flattened, children homeless and livelihoods wiped away

YA’AN, China, 22 April 2013 – World Vision is distributing much needed relief supplies to the thousands of homeless after a deadly earthquake rocked Sichuan Province on April 20.

The team plans to provide hygiene kits to some 3,900 of the worst affected survivors and assess the physical, psychosocial, and education needs of children. World Vision is collaborating with government partners to further assist in the response.

“We are worried about the health and well-being of the children who are now homeless,” says Victor Kan, World Vision China’s National Director. “By providing hygienic kits, we’re hoping to help families restore hygienic practices, reducing health risks.”

Yujie, 12, and Shan, 10, receive a child-friendly kit after the quake. In addition to the critical relief supplies that World Vision distributes, kits with toys and stationary are given to many of the children.

World Vision will also soon open Child Friendly Spaces to address children’s emotional and psychological needs. In these centres, children are provided a safe space to play and receive psychological support, helping them establish a normal routine to recover from the distress they’ve faced.

World Vision’s response comes in the wake of a 6.6 magnitude quake that rocked Sichuan province on Saturday morning, leaving nearly 200 dead, injuring 11,500 and forcing 245,000 to flee their homes. At the epicentre, in Longmen Township of Lushan County, 99 percent of the homes collapsed, according to a report from the UN.

A team of World Vision disaster response experts are delivering the kits – containing soap, towels, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

“We are witnessing mass devastation, homes flattened, children homeless and livelihoods wiped away,” says Meimei Leung, head of World Vision China’s emergency response team. “People are huddled in tents along the roadside, and near the stadium.”

World Vision is currently working on its initial assessment of affected areas and plans to work with government to address immediate and long term needs. Following the assessment results, World Vision aims to help affected children and their families to rebuild their lives.