Assistance to people affected by Snowstorms in Yunnan & Xinjiang Provinces

Extremely heavy snowstorms, the worst in one hundred years, together with torrential rainfall, hit Gongshan County (in Nujiang Prefecture, Yunan Province) on 13 February 2005. Between 14-23 February, a total of 262 mm of rain fell as well as 960 mm of snow. While government relief work was under way another snowstorm hit Nujiang Prefecture between 5 - 7 March 2005, followed by a further one on 11 March in the same area. All four counties in Nujiang Prefecture, including Gongshan, Lushui, Lanping and Fugong, were seriously affected.

The snowstorms triggered devastating avalanches, landslides and mudslides along with severe frost damage. All communication links were broken between the Prefecture and the outside. According to official records as of 11 March 2005 the death toll had reached 26 with 3 people missing. Houses had collapsed and schools and other public buildings were damaged. Over 228,000 people were affected of which over 13,500 people had to be evacuated. There was also serious damage to agriculture with loss of crops and livestock as well as damage to irrigation systems.

During the same period, 17-18 February 2005, another heavy snowstorm, the worst in 30 years, hit the southern area of Xinjiang Urumgar Autonomous Region. The storm, accompanied by extreme temperatures buried the south of the autonomous region in snows as deep as 20 to 70 centimeters. According to official statistics by 20 February the death toll here had reached 8 with 2,263 injured due to the extreme weather conditions. 4,880 living quarters had collapsed and 111,600 livestock had perished. The lives of a further two million head of livestock were threatened due to shortage of fodder.

ACT member Amity Foundation plans to assist about 5,000 families rendered homeless in Lanping, Fugong, Gongshan, Lushui counties in Yunnan Province and Pishan County in Xinjiang Urumgar Autonomous Region. The assistance will consist of distribution of relief items in the form of food rice, quilts and blankets as well as rebuilding of houses, school buildings, reconstructing of irrigation canals and drinking water systems.

Project Completion Date: 31 March 2006

White Rakuba
Director
ACT Co-ordinating Office