Red Cross Red Crescent appeal launched for China floods
25 June 2002

Heavy rains continue to fall in many parts of China, leaving some 683,000 people homeless and claiming 530 lives. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching an initial appeal today for 5.4 million Swiss francs to meet the needs of victims of flash floods and to strengthen the operational capacity of the Chinese Red Cross in the event of any further deterioration of the situation.

Flash floods and landslides in the worst-affected areas of Shaanxi and Sichuan have washed away the crops of thousands of subsistence farmers whose food security had already been disrupted by a severe drought. The next harvest is not due until September. This appeal will provide for a distribution of 4,500 tonnes of rice and wheat to 100,000 of those worst-affected. The Federation is releasing 200,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund for the start-up phase of the operation.

The water supply in many rural areas has been contaminated over the last weeks. Based on Red Cross experience in the 1998 and 1999 record-breaking floods, it is proposed to provide water purification powder and disinfectant for one million people. In addition, 2,000 family-size tents will be distributed and 20,000 quilts will be provided to people in temporary shelters.

The Chinese Red Cross and the Federation are presently carrying out assessment missions in Jiangxi, Hunan and Guangxi in addition to earlier asssessments which followed the torrential rains from June 8 to 10.
"Many villages lost water resources and are in need of clean water and chlorine. In addition there is a need for food, shelter and blankets. In the larger cities, clearing rubbish and refuse is much more difficult and there is the risk of disease if this is not attended to immediately," said Richard Grove-Hills, Federation head of delegation in China.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

In Geneva
Denis McClean, Head, Media Service - Tel: +41 22 730 44 28 / +41 79 217 33 57

In Beijing
Marjut Helminen, Information Delegate - Tel: +86 13 501 20 59 72

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.