Helping Snowstorm Victims in China
Benjamin Chan
February 5, 2008
Beginning January 10, the snowfall and icy rain, the most in 50 years, have been sweeping in the central, eastern and southwestern parts of China. By Jan. 29, snow-related disasters had killed more than 40 people. Altogether, 17 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities have been affected and 1.6 million people have been evaluated to safer places. The snow had affected nearly 6.7 million hectares of farmland led to the collapse of about 149,000 houses and damaged 602,000 others. Direct economic losses were estimated at US$4.5 billion. The Amity Foundation, a close partner of International Ministries (IM) in China, has appealed to global ecumenical community to extend their assistance to the victims.
In response to the appeal, the World Relief Office of the American Baptist Churches has approved a grant of US$5,000 towards the joint effort of providing 75,000 kilograms of rice and 5,000 quilts to the victims. The second phrase of the relief will extend to the repair of damaged houses, the provision of animal pens, sheep and green houses etc. To get the update of the relief, you may go to http://www.amityfoundation.org/wordpress/index.php.
To support the relief effort, you may send a check payable to "World Relief Office", and mark on the check "China Snowstorm Relief", and send the check with your name and address to The World Relief Office, American Baptist Churches in the USA, Box 851 Valley Forge, PA 19482. IM missionary Judy Sutterlin has served with the Amity Foundation and now teaches in the Nanjing Union Theological Seminary.
Highlights of Needs
* US$ 16 to provide a quilt to the victim in the snowy weather
* US$ 45 to provide 100 kilograms of rice that helps the immediate need of five families
* US$ 72 to provide a sheep to a victim family
* US$ 290 to help a victim family to rebuild the animal pen
* US$ 360 to help a victim family to rebuild a greenhouse
