UNICEF HK allocates HK$500,000 and appeals public donations to help Yunnan children affected by the strongest earthquake in 14 years
2014-08-04
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| © Reuters/OTHK |
HONG KONG, 4 August 2014 — UNICEF China expresses its condolences to families who have lost loved ones in the earthquake in Yunnan province on Sunday and will work with partners to access humanitarian needs of the earthquake affected areas. We are preparing to provide emergency health supplies and further support for Child Friendly Spaces. Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) immediately allocates HK$500,000 from its emergency fund and appeals for donations from Hong Kong community to support the relief work in Yunnan.
According to official sources, so far an estimated 381 people are dead and 1,801 injured, with more than 12,000 houses toppled and 30,000 damaged in the quake zone and 980,000 people affected.
Ludian County, the epicenter of the earthquake, located in the northern mountainous area of Yunnan Province, is one of the nationally designated poverty countries, where many families and their children are vulnerable to natural disasters. One third or 140,000 of the population of 400,000, are estimated to be children. Ludian’s per capita GDP is only one third that of Yunnan province (Yunnan RMB 22,195 per person in 2012).
UNICEF China, which has already been working with the local government in the county is now identifying where it can provide humanitarian assistance and also help with the longer term task of re-establishing services for these children. UNICEF is already working with the National Working Committee on Women and Children to provide Child Friendly Spaces in the earthquake zone. The three existing UNICEF supported Child Friendly Spaces remain operational and continue to provide care and support to children. UNICEF will also work with local partners to maintain and accelerate ongoing programme interventions to provide support and expand these services to reach more of the children affected.
UNICEF is also working with the National Family Planning and Health Commission to support health, sanitation and hygiene and nutrition services for pregnant women and young children. It will continue to see how it can help to make sure there is minimal disruption to these services and to support with longer term recovery efforts.
UNICEF HK immediately allocates HK$500,000 from its emergency fund to support the relief work. Ms Irene Chan, Chief Executive of UNICEF HK said, “We send our condolences to all who have affected by the earthquake. We are very concerned about the vulnerable children, especially the many left-behind children in Yunnan who are unaccompanied by adults. Within minutes, their life is turned upside down and it can take months or even years for their lives to get back to normal. UNICEF is getting ready to help but will need further support. We hope Hong Kong public will show their generosity and join us in the relief work.”
Donation for Yunnan earthquake:
| Online donation: | /donate |
| Direct Bank- in: | HSBC: 567-354014-001 Bank of China: 012-875-1-0810855 Wing Lung Bank: 020-601-003-7635-2 Bank of East Asia:015-260-81-01210-0 |
| Cheque: |
Payable to ‘Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF’
(Please send us the cheque with filled donation form with remark ‘Yunnan’ at the back, and send to ‘Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF, 3/F, 60 Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong.’) |
| PPS: |
Please use your contact number as the bill number.
Press UNICEF merchant code: 6012, and then select bill type 3 “emergency”. |
| Hotline: | 2833 6139 |
(In the unusual event that donations for Yunnan earthquake exceed the needs, we will direct your gift to disaster or emergency relief actions elsewhere.)
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