VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 7/26/13)—Two powerful earthquakes struck one of China’s poorest areas, near Dingzi, Gansu Province in northwest China on July 22, reported Church World Service (CWS). The earthquakes have left 94 people dead and more than 1,000 injured. Nearly 2,000 homes were destroyed and about 22,500 severely damaged, according to CWS.
In response, $10,000 in emergency relief funds is being sent from One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) to help victims of these earthquakes. $5,000 each will go to American Baptist International Ministries (IM) partners: Amity Foundation, an independent voluntary organization initiated by Christians in China, and China Christian Council (CCC).
Amity reports that the first batch of relief supplies reached the affected area one day after the quakes hit. They include 16 tons of flour, 300 boxes of bottled drinking water and 300 boxes of instant noodles. Because many houses collapsed, the affected families can only sleep outdoors. They are desperately short of food, water and other necessities of life, according to Amity sources.
According to Yiyi Liu, a staff member in the CCC Social Service Department, “The pastoral staffs in Gansu are assessing the situation and will provide information on the local situation and the needs as they arise. CCC is paying close attention to the developing situation and will call for helping hands to support those who are in need now.”
Churches are being asked to keep the victims, their families, their churches, and the relief workers in prayer. Financial relief aid is needed. To make a tax-deductible contribution online go to http://www.internationalministries.org/drives/13. To make a tax-deductible contribution by mail, write a check payable to International Ministries, and write on the memo line: “OGHS China Earthquake.” Mail to: International Ministries, Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482.
One Great Hour of Sharing is administered by the World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA. The Committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work, and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing distribution of the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering received by churches. Learn more: http://www.abc-oghs.org/
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