The Earthquake and How To Help

Massive earthquake shakes China

Chengdu, China

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

More than 22,000 people have died in a massive earthquake that rocked southwestern China on May 12. The 7.9 magnitude quake hit shortly before 2:30 P.M. (local time) on Monday. The epicenter was 93 kilometers (50 miles) from Chengdu (population: 2 million) and 260 kilometers (162 miles) from Chongqing (30 million). The quake was felt in cities across Southeast Asia including Bangkok, Thailand, which is more than 1,800 kilometers (1,118 miles) from the epicenter.

The death toll is expected to rise dramatically with at least 10,000 people buried in Mianzhu City in the Sichuan province alone. Up to 5,000 people died in Beichuan, where 80 percent of the area’s buildings collapsed. In just one school, Juyuan Middle School, up to 900 students were buried alive. Currently, 50,000 of the nation’s military have been mobilized to assist in relief and rescue efforts.

The quake damaged the area’s major infrastructure components, including telecommunications, roads, and transportation, thus making communication to the area difficult. However, a distressed China Daily blogger expressed the fear and desperation of many: “I saw so many people staying overnight in the park ... I went to sleep last night at 12 P.M. and cannot fell (sic) asleep and then suddenly at 4 A.M., the house was shaking again—everybody was screming (sic). When this gonna be an end (sic) ... My heart broken ... I want to cry for those people who died in this earthquake ... This is horrible.”

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries will take action through their partner relationships as they seek the generous support of local congregations around the world.

Please pray for those affected by this disaster, including the families of children still buried in collapsed school buildings and those who lost loved ones in the aftermath of the quake. Pray also for NCM as they seek opportunities to offer support to those who are suffering.

Persons wishing to contribute to the relief efforts can mark their checks “China Earthquake Relief ACM1451” and send them to Global Treasury Services, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. Online donations may be made at ncm.org