Weekly News

Rapid response from the Red Cross Society of China and the Chinese authorities has saved many lives in the
earthquake-stricken area of Hebei province in northwest China. The quake struck last Saturday, killing at least 50 people,
injuring more than 12,000 and leaving some 44,000 homeless. "My house collapsed and we had to sleep outside in hay stacks the first night, but now we are sheltered in a tent and we received warm clothes and blankets from the Red Cross", says Feng Yuman. Within hours of the disaster, blankets, quilts, warm coats and tents were distributed by some 200 volunteers from the local branches of the Chinese Red Cross. They have also provided first aid and medical assistance to the injured. Medicine to treat cases of flu, bronchitis and pneumonia is being delivered. Night temperatures have dropped as low as minus 27 degrees Celsius. More than 300 aftershocks have struck the area and people are still afraid of entering what is left of their houses. J=FCrgen Weyand, head of the disaster response unit at the Federation's Secretariat, is impressed after having visited the area: "I have seen quake-stricken areas all over the world, but I have rarely experienced such effective resettlement of victims". The International Federation has appealed for two million Swiss francs to assist 110,000 people. The funds will be used to buy food, blankets, medicines and building supplies to reconstruct homes