Hunan Province - Torrential Rains and Hail Storms

• Loss of life - 9 with 1,047 persons injured
• 7,900,000 persons were affected with 3,920,000 severely affected
• Crops affected – 255,000 hectares, with 129,000 hectares seriously damaged and 23,000 hectares of crops totally destroyed
• Houses destroyed – 15,000 room units and 185,000 units lost the roofing or were badly damaged
• 1,482 families suffered total destruction of their houses.

Trees were blown down in the storms and communication facilities, bridges and roads were either destroyed or severely damaged. Damage is estimated at around US$ 84.5 million.

Impact on human life is great as the affected are mostly rural farmers living from hand to mouth (average annual income per capita of about US$ 109). Many have had their spring plants destroyed and cannot afford new seeds or seedlings. Families who have lost their homes also lost all their possessions in the rush of waters. With no money to rebuild their homes they lack shelter, immediate food (rice), clothing and quilts (it is still extremely cold in the mountainous areas).

The local government has allocated about US$ 383,969 mainly to restore communication lines and rebuild damaged roads and bridges. The local authorities are also distributing food rice among the most severely affected and the public has been called upon to donate clothing and quilts. However, the needs are great and beyond the capacity of the local authorities.

ACT member the Amity Foundation plans to provide assistance for 1,500 of the most vulnerable families (around 6,000 persons) in the worst affected Miao minority county. Assistance will consist of 35 kilos of food rice and one quilt to each household, as well as 3,500 tiles to each of the 102 households without roofs over their heads.

ACT CO will send US$ 35,000 from the Rapid Response fund but, as RRF funds are low, specific donations to cover the US$ 35,000 would be highly appreciated.