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Habitat for Humanity seeks funding to help families affected by Sichuan earthquake

Thursday, 25 April 2013 08:02 GMT

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Tens of thousands homes destroyed or damaged

Bangkok, 25 April 2013 – Habitat for Humanity has launched an appeal to assist families affected by the 7.0-magnititude earthquake that struck Lushan County, in Sichuan province, southwestern China, on Saturday 20 April.

Over 190 people have been killed, nearly two million people affected, and more than 70,000 homes have collapsed, according to the Civil Affairs Department of Sichuan. The earthquake epicenter was in Longmen township, Lushan county, in Ya’an City, at a shallow depth of just 13 kilometers.

“Our Habitat for Humanity China staff are in the affected area and liaising with the local government to formulate disaster response plans. We will be helping rebuild homes, and your donation will enable us to help more affected families. As in previous disasters, we are committed to supporting affected families rebuild their lives and gain access to decent shelter,” said Rick Hathaway, Asia-Pacific vice president for Habitat for Humanity.

To donate, please visit: https://www.habitat.org/cd/giving/one/donate.aspx?link=484

“We expect to initially start work in Qionglai City, just to the northeast of Ya’an City. Local government reports are that more than 19,000 homes were partially damaged, a further 4,400 severely damaged and around 500 houses totally destroyed in Qionglai”, added Hathaway.

Habitat for Humanity China responded after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, and other disasters in mainland China. In Sichuan province, Habitat has built 1,500 houses to date in ten villages in the townships of Xiaoyudong, Bailu, Jiexing, Zhuyuan and Qionglai. None of these homes, or ones currently being built, sustained any damage in this recent earthquake.

In November 2009, former US President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, built homes in Qionglai City with Habitat for Humanity, as part of the annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Various high-profile Habitat supporters, such as Hong Kong actor Daniel Wu and model Lisa S also took part in the build event.

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