China earthquake

An earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck Sichuan province in China at 2.30pm local time (6.30am GMT) on Monday.  Around 12,000 people are believed to have died, and the figure is expected to rise.  The Chinese government has reacted quickly and has sent 50,000 troops to help with aid efforts, but landslides caused by the earthquake have prevented them from reaching many affected areas.   

Many areas have witnessed huge amounts of destruction.  In Beichuan county, 50km from the epicentre, around 80% of all buildings have been destroyed, while some 900 schoolchildren have been buried alive at their school in Dujianyang city, south-east of the epicentre.  Efforts to reach the affected have been further disrupted by heavy storms in the region. 

We ask all our supporters to pray for the people involved in this natural disaster.  Pray for the families of those killed; that relief efforts would be able to reach the affected areas; that injured people would be treated swiftly; and give thanks for the swift response of the Chinese government to the crisis.

If you would like to contribute financially you can donate online or if you have any practical skills to support and help those affected by this natural disaster, please contact Marcela Bell in the Interserve office on 01908 552729 or on marcela@isewi.org.