Disaster Situation
As meteorological department in China forecast that snowstorms in southern parts of China will continue till early February, disaster situation may not be relieved in the coming week. In Hunan, one of the most seriously affected provinces, over 30 million people are affected and the death toll reached 10, with 350,000 people being relocated. In many parts of the province, transportation is suspended due to heavy snowstorms and about 80,000 people are stranded on roads, railways or at piers for more than 3 days. They are in need of food, water and winter cloths.
Red Cross Action
Today, the Hong Kong Red Cross has donated HK$109,000 (RMB100,000) to the Red Cross Society of China to support relief operation performed by Hunan Provincial Red Cross. The donation will be used to provide basic supplies to the stranded travelers on the highway, including 3-day food and drink supplies and one warm jacket. It is expected 1000 people will be benefited.
Though relief operation is extremely difficult due to transport suspension, local Red Cross branches are working at their best to bring relief materials to the needy victims. The Hunan Provincial Red Cross has been granted permit to use special passage along the highways so that relief materials could be distributed to stranded travelers.
Mr Enkas Chau, Head of International and Relief Service Department of the Hong Kong Red Cross, said, "According to the local Red Cross, government authorities have already relocated the affected elderly and the weak to nearby public facilities. Assistance from the Red Cross will bring relief to those who are still stranded on the highways."
Besides, the Red Cross Society of China has already mobilized their own pre-stock materials to assist needy victims. Relief materials including more than 32,000 jackets and 100 tents amounting to over RMB 2 million were distributed to 9 provinces / municipality including Hunan, Hubei, Guangxi, Anhui, Chongqing, Xinjiang, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Guizhou.
The Hong Kong Red Cross will closely monitor the situation and liaise with the Red Cross Society of China to plan for follow-up action.
Enquiry
Please call 2507-7199 or email to china@redcross.org.hk