Yunnan Earthquake Assistance

Yanjin and Daguan Counties, in Yunnan Province are located on an earthquake belt and have suffered several quakes (2 of magnitude 5.1 and one of 4.7, with aftershocks of 2 to 3 on the Richter Scale) since July 2006. Although these quakes were not of a high magnitude on the Richter Scale, they were shallow (4 to 9 km in depth) and consequently caused widespread damage.

On 22 July a quake measuring 5.1 on the Richter Scale hit Yanjin and Daguan county, killing 22 and injuring 106 people. The epicentre was in Dousha town, Yanjin County and seriously affected areas of Yanjin, Daguan, Yiliang, Yongshan. More than 1,400 houses were destroyed and 38,000 damaged in 13 townships. According to the National Disaster Reduction Centre the quake affected at least 38,200 families (153,000 persons) and 51,000 people had to be relocated. The earthquake also caused widespread infrastructural damage.

On 25 August another quake of 5.1 in the same area killed at least 1 person and injured 31 others. This quake was shallower than the previous one, causing wider devastation.

On 29 August, Dousha town, Yanjin County was hit by another quake, this time of 4.7, further exacerbating the situation.

Yanjin and Daguan counties are two of the poorest areas in China with many of the population living in abject poverty and extremely tough physical conditions. The people most affected are the poor who have houses built simply of stone and earth which are destroyed immediately in any disaster. The area also comprises high mountains and deep gorges, and most houses in Yanjin are built on hillsides – therefore most vulnerable during any seismic movement. These areas are also frequently hit by series of natural disasters every year. This year alone, freezing hail in February and March, high winds, drought, earthquakes and excessively high temperatures. Winter is now approaching and with communities own coping mechanisms stretched to the limit, there is an urgent need of clothes, quilts, tents and other relief materials.

ACT member, the Amity Foundation is planning to provide assistance in the form of rice, quilts, reconstruction/repair of houses, schools and clinics as well as rehabilitation of water resources in Yanjin and Daguan Counties.

Project Completion Date: July 2007

Reporting Summary

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested (US$)

Total Appeal Target(s): 537,237
Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd.: 0
Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: 537,237

Signed by:
John Nduna
Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office