China Floods: World Vision Distributes Aid to 52,000 People

Floods affect more than 36.million people in 13 provinces

Rain-triggered floods in Southern China have left 175 people dead, 86 missing, 1.64 million people displaced and economic losses of 35 billion yuan (US$ 5.4 billion) according to the country's Civil Affairs Ministry.

Victor Kan, Director of Emergency Affairs for World Vision China, says: "We're deeply concerned for their situation. Severe drought in the first half of this year has already brought great damage on the community and now they have to face the flooding. Children and their families are left homeless and with very few possessions."

Food urgently needed

World Vision's response will focus on helping more than 52,000 people in Southern China's Hunan and Jiangxi provinces where more than 38,400 houses were damaged.

"Food is urgently needed. It is estimated that the affected communities will suffer from food shortages in the next two to three months," said Kan.

Other immediate needs identified were quilts and non-food relief items. He added, "Farmers were struck twice, first the drought and then the floods. Many of them are likely to face total crop failure this year."

In a co-ordinated approach with Chinese Government World Vision has distributed child friendly kits which consist of toys, disaster preparedness brochures and some stationery. Hygiene kits containing daily necessities were also given out.

"We hope to bring back a sense of normalcy in the lives of the children as they play with their toys," said Kan.

The Chinese government has already dispatched tents, quilts and instant noodles to meet people's immediate needs.

Typhoon season increases concern

World Vision will also continue to closely monitoring the situation as a further threat of heavy rain is foreseen in the coming months and coastal flood-hit areas are entering typhoon season.

• For more on World Vision's emergency work click here

Share this