After 17 hours of traveling, Amity's Yushu Earthquake Rescue Team finally arrived at Gyegu Township, the seat of Yushu County Government, at 6:00am, April 16. On the way, the team travelled over Mount Heka at 4,000 meters of altitude. Temperature decreased as their jeep went higher. All around, water was frozen, with the lowest temperature at -10 degrees Celsius. The high altitude showed what it meant to the rescue team. A gesture as simple as bending over made the colleagues feel their bodies.
Upon arriving in Gyegu, the team went to the temporary settling place set up at a horse racing stadium. He Wen, assistant general secretary of Amity, has reported that several thousands of survivors from over one thousand families have found shelter in the makeshift settlement. From conversation with the survivors, we understand that there is still a great need for relief materials: 30% of the survivors received tents while others are waiting for more to be transported. Many shared quilts and had a sleepless night outdoors in the freezing cold and windy night.
Apart from tents, instant noodles are among the short stock list. On April 14, most survivors only had one meal of instant food. One family with a newborn baby is also staying in the tent eager for more food for the nursing mother.
In Xining, after a full night hard work of purchasing and loading, early this morning at 5:00 am, the team in Xining has managed to load 480 quilts; 850 boxes of instant noodles; 350 cartons of mineral water. The relief goods are expected to be in Gyegu after some ten hours of surface travel.
Meanwhile, Amity's appeal has been largely echoed by our international supporters and friends. Large donations have been received from American Baptist Church (US$ 5,000) and United Church of Christ (US$ 10,000).
On behalf of the victims, survivors and their families, we'd like to express our greatest appreciation to the organizations mentioned above and hope more organizations and friends will join hands with Amity in this struggle with the strong wind, high altitude and aftershocks.