Let's Pray for them - China Earthquake

Dear IWAP friends,

As you might have known, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Western China Sichuan province the past Monday (May 12, China Beijing Time).

Till today (May 16, 2008 US EST Time), this earthquake hit heavily populated towns and has killed 22,069, buried at least 14,000 and wounded tens of thousands. Along with the rescue efforts going on, more bodies are pulled out from collapsed buildings and the death toll is still rising.

I will attach some pictures briefing the impacts of this natural disaster and the suffering of the victims. I apologize for the contents of these photos which might be disturbing. The situation in the disaster area is actually times worse than what we can imagine. Most villages and families were destroyed and buried by landslide.

The whole country is currently working together to help the victims. People, including me and my family back in China, donate money, blood, food and clothes to help those suffering from this disaster. I sincerely hope you, my dear friends, could give your hands and warm hearts to help those who have lost parents or children and are suffering from pain, starvation and severe weather. A piece of bread, a bottle of water or even a simple pray could save a life and is highly appreciated from the bottom of my heart!

Here is the link if you would like to help:
http://www.mercycorps.org/
http://www.ctef.org/EarthquakeRelief.asp
http://www.oxfam.org.hk/public/main
https://www.redcross.org.hk/donation/user_donation.asp
http://www.RedCross.org
http://www.worldvision.org/
http://tsinghuafoundation.org/earthquake08/index.html

Sincerely,
Jessica

Here are the reports from American media

CNN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWYvsUUKcvs

NPR: http://www.npr.org/blogs/chengdu/2008/05/we_found_fu_guanyu_and.html

Sichuan Province of China, the home town of lovely Panda and delicious Sichuan food. It used to be a beautiful place…

Roads are destroyed. Soldiers walked 8 hours to enter the area to rescue.

The earthquake happened at 2:30pm. Kids are studying at school, most of them are buried.

A wife is cleaning her husband’s body. He was a teacher. And he used his body to protect 4 kids when it happened. The 4 kids survived, and he died.

Rescue solders found this 3-4 month aged baby. Her mother is dead and use own body to protect her. There is a message left on the mother’s mobile phone, it is said: Dear baby, if you survive, please remember that, Mom love you!

A boy is accompanying his classmates, who are buried and waiting for rescue.

Those who lost families

Help, please!

A weak boy

the temporary hospitals

The smile of girls who survived, as angels, bring us hopes

We are sharing your grief and we'll try to help. Thank you for telling us, Jessica.

Our hart is with them. We think a lot about the earthquake.
We do what we can to help. Thank you so much for reminding us.
Regina.

Thank you for your attention and kindness.