Geneva, 12 June 2012

Dear colleagues,

Since early May 2012, torrential rains have been lashing regions across China. In Gansu, Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong provinces, rivers have broken their banks and landslides have caused high human and economic losses. The meteorological office has forecast that the rains will continue for some time.

As of 10 June 2012 a total of 5.89 million people have been affected and the overall direct economic loss is estimated to be around CHY￥ 15.03 billion (around US$ 2.38 billion). In Hunan, Gansu and Guangxi provinces alone, over 4.64 million people have been affected by the flood waters and around 67 people have lost their lives due to the floods. 60,878 houses have been seriously damaged and over 101,523 people have been relocated. And 26,170 hectares crop lands have been destroyed. The loss in these three provinces is estimated at around CHY￥ 12.79 billion (around US$ 2.02 billion).

ACT member in China, the Amity Foundation, is planning to assist 3,000 of the most vulnerable and resourcepoor families in Hunan and Guangxi Provinces with rice and oil sufficient for a period of two months as well as quilts to help the families in the chilly mountainous weather.