Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is providing emergency relief to people of Ning'er County in Yunnan Province, China after a strong earthquake struck the region.
On Monday, June 4th, the county was jolted by a forceful 6.4-magnitude earthquake that killed three people and injured more than 290 others. The earthquake caused extensive infrastructural damage, broke down the county's water supply, and damaged communication lines. Ning'er County lies in the mountains of the earthquake-prone Yunnan Province about 90 miles north of Laos.
ERD is working in partnership with Action by Churches Together (ACT) and The Amity Foundation to assist displaced communities and individuals who lost at least two-thirds of their crops to the quake. Emergency aid such as food and seeds will be distributed.
Approximately 600 families will receive up to 15kgs of rice. Each family will also be given a quilt. Plastic sheeting will be provided to protect food and seeds from spoilage during the rainy season. The elderly, women, and children will be given priority in receiving assistance. ERD's support will also help to rebuild three irrigation systems, 100 homes, and two village schools.
"We are grateful to be able to expand our efforts to respond to these recent humanitarian needs in China in partnership with the Amity Foundation. Their staff on the ground there is providing excellent oversight of these relief efforts," said Kirsten Laursen, ERD's Senior Program Director for Asia and New Initiatives.
To help people affected by disasters, please make a donation to the "Emergency Relief Fund" online at http://www.er-d.org/, or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development "Emergency Relief Fund" P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
Episcopal Relief and Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. An independent 501(c) (3) organization, ERD saves lives and builds hope in communities around the world. ERD's programs work toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals. We provide emergency assistance in times of crisis and rebuild after disasters. We enable people to climb out of poverty by offering long-term solutions in the areas of food security and health care, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.