In May 2008, the deadly 5.12 Sichuan Earthquake shocked lives of countless people in just a few seconds. Over 80,000 people perished and unaccountable homes were destroyed in this catastrophe. Today, newly built houses have replaced the ruins, while survivors are gradually walking out from the aftermath of the earthquake.
In these three years, the Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) has been staying with the people in the earthquake-affected areas. Within the first week after the earthquake happened, the HKRC deployed five teams for needs assessment and relief distribution in the worst-hit provinces, including Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu. Besides, the HKRC also set up health posts in Beichuan County and Yanmen Town of Jiangyou Prefecture in Sichuan Province, and provided healthcare services to 2,000 person-times. When frontline relief workers were working round the clock, the HKRC headquarters supported the operation by mobilizing more than 1,000 person-times of volunteers in answering public enquires and handling donations. A massive amount of donation of over HK$1.3 billion was received, enabling the HKRC flexible resources in rebuilding homes and hope for the earthquake survivors.
The HKRC Chengdu Liaison Office in Sichuan Province devotes its efforts in various project sites, and coordinates with local government and Red Cross at all levels, in order to provide support to more survivors. While the two Rehabilitation, Prosthetic and Orthotic Centres in Deyang Prefecture and Wenchuan County have striven for supporting the injured and their relatives in facing new lives.
The HKRC cannot remove the scars on the earthquake survivors, but we do our best to assist them rebuild their homes and lives based on humanitarian values.