ALPHA COMMUNITIES

 

Sichuan Earthquake Response

 

On Monday, May 12th, there was a 7.9 earthquake in Sichuan where Alpha Communities is working among poor and developing communities. The earthquake was felt here in Chengdu where it was less powerful yet still made the buildings shake and even here there are 1,000 dead and numerous wounded. The scale of the disaster is still trickling through but Alpha Communities is in a position to support the short term disaster relief response and certainly the long term rebuilding and redevelopment of these already poor areas. Some of the students under our sponsorship program were right in the epicenter and we are unable currently to know how they are but we expect the worst given the reports coming out of those areas right now.

 

We need you to partner with us in getting help to the stricken areas. We are currently working to support several organizations to rapidly deploy resources to the disaster areas over the next week. Several teams of our workers are on site – some literally pulling people out of the rubble (today six people were pulled out alive by one person) and some, together with Alpha Communities staff, are in the process of sourcing a warehouse and response centre closer to the epicenter from which to send out resources. There are literally thousands of refugees needing water, housing, food. The government is making an all out response but the need is so great that all possible resources are needed.

 

Your financial support to Alpha Communities will go directly to relieve the needs of the earthquake victims. Over the next two weeks financial support will address their practical needs – providing shelter, food, water and emergency medical aid. Alpha Communities is also planning a more long term response to rebuild the devastated townships in which we work. The people who have lost everything in this earthquake will need sustained support to rebuild their lives. This will include rebuilding housing, working with orphaned children, those permanently injured and addressing structural needs as they become apparent over time.

 

Emergency response within 24 hours:

 

  • Rescuing those trapped in rubble.
  • Hiking up to isolated villages to bring emergency supplies including water, food and medicine.
  • Basic shelter.

 

Within the next two weeks:

 

  • Providing shelter for the thousands of refugees.
  • Providing food, water and medical aid.

 

Long term responses:

 

  • Rebuilding communities through housing projects.
  • Working with those most affected by the earthquake such as orphans and the permanently injured.
  • Addressing structural needs as they become apparent such as skills/vocational training, micro-loans and development of local economy.

 

For more information and regular daily updates please visit www.alphacommunities.org/sichuanearthquake.php