On April 20, 2013, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Lushan, located in the Sichuan province of China. The disaster resulted in nearly 200 deaths and affected more than 2 million people. In addition, hundreds of aftershocks were reported - the biggest was reported to have reached a magnitude of 5.3.
As one of the most active charity organizations in Canada, the Canadian Red Cross is committed to helping those affected by emergencies and disasters wherever they occur around the world.
The Red Cross in China
In the aftermath of the earthquake in China, the Red Cross mobilized its dedicated team of volunteers, including six specialized Emergency Response Teams, to respond to the needs of survivors on the ground and ensure that they have access to basic necessities, such as food, water, shelter and healthcare.
The Canadian Red Cross has also provided an essential layer of support to the Red Cross Society of China as it works to respond to the needs of the more than 13,000 people who were injured during the disaster, as well as the more than 230,000 people who were forced from their homes.
As of April 28, 2013, the Red Cross Society of China had distributed 4,019 tents, 94,092 cartons of food and water and 183,503 boxes of medicine to people affected by the earthquake.
Make a difference
The earthquake in Lushan has had a devastating impact, but with assistance from the Canadian Red Cross, families are able to gain essential resources to help them recover.
When disasters strike, the Canadian Red Cross strives to provide a vital layer of support for affected people and communities. As a result of the generous contributions made by Canadians, the Red Cross can continue to offer a wide variety of programs and services that benefit those impacted by emergencies and disasters.