China Earthquake Update from Half the Sky

Originally posted 5/27/08

Chengdu - Children who have not been claimed by searching parents or relatives must sign their own release forms, giving permission for surgeries (such as this child) or even life-saving limb amputations.

Zitong - Of the 24 children who were brought to the orphanage (most from An'Xian, survivors from Xiao Ba Primary School), 12 were reunited with their parents. A sign at the orphanage gives information about the new arrivals who remain: "Yan: only her mother was home; XianLin & LiGang are brothers: only their father was home: Cheng: her father is working in Xinjiang; Dan: her parents are working in Zhejiang; Jun: about 2 years old, parents whereabouts unknown; Zhou: about 1 year old, parents whereabouts unknown. Needs: Books to read. Stable place to live. Emotional needs: their family...their relatives."

Dujiangyan: Images like this of a collapsed primary school are all too common in this town near the epicenter. Of the 500 children at the Dujiangyan City Primary School, 241 died.

The Earthquake in Sichuan
On the afternoon of Monday, May 12, 2008, a massive earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale, rocked China. The epicenter was Wenchuan County, Sichuan, northwest of Chengdu. To learn more, please see HTS Journal.
Dujiangyan: The damaged CWI will be blown up on Sunday. Although new children have been arriving daily, they are now registered and brought to other facilities. Four older children remain at the CWI and will live with institution staff until the facility is rebuilt. HTS offered additional relief supplies to help during the transition, including a tent for the CWI office, new shoes and clothes for the remaining kids.

SHIFANG, SICHUANAs many as 40,000 children are in need of shelter and care. Their schools and homes destroyed, high school-age survivors are trying desperately to study for their all-important school exams, which take place across China in early June. Half the Sky is providing tents and basic necessities.

CHENGDU CHILDREN'S WELFARE INSTITUTION, The children are all well. They all sleep on the first floor of the children's building and, for their safety, are kept outside during their waking hours. Due to recent severe aftershocks, the CWI is now preparing to move children to tents. Half the Sky is providing tents and other basic necessities.

HANZHONG COUNTY SOCIAL WELFARE INSTITUTION, SHAANXICracked walls and a crumbling foundation forced the children and caregivers of this small orphanage close to the Sichuan border to take shelter in tents. All are fine.