Media Note
Public Affairs Section
United States Embassy, Beijing
Tel: 8531-3000 Fax: 8531-4040
Website: http://eng.embassyusa.cn
Beijing — Since January, severe flooding caused by torrential rainfall and a series of typhoons has affected more than 205 million people in all but a few of China’s provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.
In addition to record-breaking rains and floods in multiple localities in July, three typhoons hit eastern China August 3-8 in quick succession, affecting millions of people and resulting in extensive flooding in China’s eastern and coastal provinces. As of August 14, the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People’s Republic of China reports that floods and landslides have resulted in over 918 deaths, left 209 people missing, and displaced approximately 7.4 million people since mid-June. Furthermore, reports indicate that flooding has resulted in 541,000 destroyed homes, an estimated 2.3 million damaged homes, and 2.3 million hectares of damaged cropland.
On August 16, in response to this widespread flood devastation, Ambassador Gary Locke, on behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, provided $100,000 in U.S. Agency for International Development relief funds to two Chinese humanitarian relief organizations. Specifically, $50,000 in United States Government assistance was provided to the Red Cross Society of China, and $50,000 was provided to the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation. These funds will be used to provide immediate disaster assistance to affected populations through the procurement and distribution of emergency relief supplies such as tents and blankets.
The hearts of the people of the United States go out to all of the victims affected by severe flooding in China.