World Vision helping quake survivors in Gansu Province

World Vision is responding to the aftermath of a 6.6 magnitude earthquake that rocked the northwest province of Gansu, China on Monday, 22 July, killing 95 people and injuring 1,000.

“The world was shaking! It was terrifying!” described Dong Gaisheng, a grandfather who narrowly escaped with his grandchildren before their home collapsed behind them as they ran for their lives.

Dong’s house in Lalu Village of Hetuo Township had nine rooms, but now only six remain with fallen and crumbled walls. Almost 90 percent of the houses in his village have been destroyed, many made with only mud and wood.

When the shaking started, the first thing that came to the 50-year old grandfather's mind was to save his grandchildren. The second thing he did was to try to save his neighbours. “Only the 10-year-old boy was saved, all the adults died,” said Dong.

“What we need most are quilts, a lot of quilts,” said Dong Caiwa, head of LaluVillage. “The temperature at night is usually 12 or 13 degrees colder than daytime, so people will possibly fall ill without a quilt or heating equipment.”

Beds and hygiene kits are also critical as affected communities are relocated to temporary shelter camps.

World Vision has distributed child friendly kits, hygiene kits and tarpaulin rolls in Lalu Village, benefitting 360 people, with plans for more distribution of quilts and hygiene kits in the coming days.

"After a disaster, the needs of children must be a priority,” said Victor Kan, National Director for World Vision China. “We are working to ensure children affected by this earthquake are cared for and protected as we help their families recover.”