About 60,000 children displaced in China earthquake, Save the Children deploys team to assess needs

September 8th, 2012 (Beijing, China) – About 60,000 children were displaced in the earthquake that hit the south west provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou in China yesterday.

The double earthquake of 5.7 and 5.6 magnitude left 80 people dead and over 700 injured. Local authorities have reported damages in more than 430,000 homes.

“There are reports that children were killed while in school yesterday. Their classmates and other children from the affected areas will need special support, both to meet their immediate needs, but also to provide them with psychosocial support,” said Pia MacRae, country director for Save the Children in China.

“Children who have been displaced will need warm clothing, hot food and clean water. With more aftershocks and rain expected in the coming days, there is a possibility that landslides could hamper relief work.”

Local authorities have sent rescue teams to assist, with tents, blankets, mattresses and coats released.

“Save the Children has projects in the quake-hit area. We are deploying an assessment team from our Kunming field office, and we will launch a response with local partners as necessary,” said Pia MacRae.

Save the Children has been working in China for nearly 25 years, responding to over 15 disasters in that time, such as the 2010 Yushu earthquake and 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

ENDS

Save the Children has spokespeople in China. Please contact our communications manager, Qian Xiaofeng, at (+86) 186 0036 8416 or xiaofeng.qian@savethechildren.org.