3. All homeless victims are accommodated in makeshift temporary shelters, many of which are inadequate to protect them against the cold and overcrowded. Some survivors have to share one large canvas tent, others are in bungalow-type structures which are difficult to anchor in the thick layer of frozen soil. The reconstruction of permanent houses for the homeless cannot start until May due to the cold climate.

4. There was little damage to the farmland and agricultural crops, as the area is only suitable for one harvest per year. Loss of animals is also limited, as the area is not a herding area.

5. National relief efforts have been continuing through the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Provincial Government, military forces, the Chinese Red Cross, local leading groups, villagers and other actors. Help is also being mobilized from Hongkong where the Hongkong Red Cross has initiated a fund-raising campaign and has received donations of more than HKD 23 million (about USD 2.9 million) as at 16 January 1998, including funds from the Hongkong Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee. Thanks to the immediate and well-organized action at central and local levels, most emergency needs appear to be met, except for proper temporary shelters (see below).

Needs

6. The greatest need expressed by the Government in terms of international assistance is for padded (or insulated) tents (made of canvas with wool padding) manufactured locally. These tents can last till spring when new permanent houses can be built. Furthermore, the tents can be reused and represent thus a longer-term investment in disaster relief. The cost is estimated at RMB 5,000 to 6,000 yuan (about USD 600 to 720) per tent. Additional assistance from the international community to meet this need would be welcome.

7. In the post-emergency phase, there will be a need for food grain as the area had already suffered from food shortage caused by severe drought last year. The Government would also welcome assistance in the longer-term for the reconstruction of housing in this earthquake-prone area.

8. It should be noted in this context that all five counties affected by the earthquake (Zhangbei, Shangyi, Kangbao, Huaian and Wanquan) have previously been designated as state-level poor counties in China.

International Response

9. The international community has been providing contributions, as indicated in paragraph 12 below, to assist with the immediate disaster relief efforts.

10. A United Nations Disaster Management Team (UN-DMT) meeting was held on 19 January 1998 with participation of most resident UN agencies and the World Bank. The Ministry of Civil Affairs and the China Red Cross briefed the Team on the current status of the relief work and on their needs. The UN-DMT advised of current UN assistance being provided. The World Bank informed that they presently have a preliminary assessment team in Hebei Province as the Bank is considering a concessional loan for reconstruction.

11. Following its preliminary appeal of 13 January, IFRC issued an emergency appeal on 20 January 1998 for an amount of CHF 2,000,000 (USD 1.37 million) to assist 110,000 beneficiaries for 8 months with quilts, heavy coats, food, medicines and generators, as well as with initial rehabilitation activities.

Contributions

12. The following contributions have been reported to DHA/OCHA Geneva so far from the international community:

Donor	Item	USD
DHA/OCHA	Emergency grant	30,000
UNDP	Cash for coordination, up to	50,000
UNFPA	Cash for tents, relief materials through MOFTEC (Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation)	50,000
UNICEF	Cash In-kind assistance	50,000 388,000
WHO	Medicine through Min. of Publ. Health	5,000
European Community	ECU 525,000	576,920
Australia	Cash	48,700
Denmark	Cash for food and medicine through UNDP	30,000
France	FF 1,000,000	167,000
Germany	DM 75,000	41,900
Japan	Cash contribution throughMinistry of Civil Affairs Relief goods (55 tents, 600 sleeping mats, 600 blankets, 30 generators, etc.) Value (including transport)	300,000 235,000
Netherlands	Cash	25,000
United Kingdom	Pds Stlg. 200,000 through IFRC	333,000
United States	Cash grant 40 MT of relief supplies	25,000 500,000
Red Cross Societies (through IFRC)
American RC	USD 165,000 through IFRC	165,000
Danish RC	100,000 DKK	14,660
Canadian RC	CAD 20,000	14,000
Icelandic RC	ISK 200,000	2,980
Japanese RC	Cash Blankets	123,000 50,870
Action by Churches Together (ACT)	Cash through The Amity Foundation	34,200

13. DHA/OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions, to be used during the immediate relief phase, in coordination/consultation with relevant organizations of the United Nations system. DHA/OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilization of the funds contributed.