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Disaster management
China - Sichuan Earthquake
China: Sichuan Earthquake(REUTERS/Jason Lee courtesy www.alertnet.org)

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake, which devastated the south-western province of Sichuan on 12 May has left more than 32,400 dead, 220,100 injured and 4.8 million people homeless.

More than 35,000 local Red Cross staff and volunteers have been working with rescue and medical teams to distribute tents, food, water, clothes and medicines around the clock.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent efforts will target the most affected, paying special attention to special health and psycho-social needs of the most vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant mothers, the displaced and disabled, among others.

Photo gallery
China, Sichuan earthquake - 6 month commemoration - November 2008
China, Sichuan earthquake (2nd gallery), JUly 2008
China, Sichuan earthquake (2nd gallery), May 2008
China, Sichuan earthquake, May 2008
Press releases
21 November 2008
Sichuan Earthquake: Revised emergency and recovery appeal seeks support for reconstruction in China
10 November 2008
Sichuan Earthquake: Following significant relief efforts, massive recovery programme taking shape in China
13 June 2008
One month on, the Red Cross Red Crescent still addressing vital needs of earthquake survivors
3 June 2008
International Federation's president visits earthquake-affected areas
30 May 2008
Red Cross Red Crescent boosts appeal to almost 97 million Swiss francs
27 May 2008
Red Cross Red Crescent sends tents, field hospitals and international disaster relief experts to help earthquake survivors
21 May 2008
Emotional needs enormous as people come to grips with life after the earthquake
19 May 2008
More than 35,000 Red Cross volunteers supporting earthquake disaster response
15 May 2008
Red Cross Red Crescent launches appeal for 20 million Swiss francs
14 May 2008
Red Cross mobilizes volunteers and aid to help quake survivors
More International Federation press releases
Situation map

Map of the affected area

Facts and figures
10 November 2008
Latest facts and figures of the operation
Multimedia
Google Earth Epicentre of the earthquake and most heavily affected area (requires Google Earth installed)
Related news stories
Chen Lunjie, 77, waiting to see the doctor outside a clinic built by the China Red Cross Foundation in Jiulong township, Sichuan. Mr. Chen lives in a tent after his house collapsed in the quake. (p18597)20 November 2008
China Red Cross clinic helps reduce health vulnerabilities
Hundreds of survivors are getting much-needed medical attention from a newly built clinic, underscoring the Red Cross Society of China’s commitment to reduce quake-related health vulnerabilities.
Read the full story
Li Zheng, Red Cross volunteer (centre), now working with IFRC, with a group of children from Gaochuan Middle School, whose homes were destroyed in the earthquake. (Photo: Liu Jie/IFRC) (p18608)12 November 2008
China: Volunteerism leads to long-term commitments and deep friendships
Tens of thousands of Red Cross volunteers gathered in China’s Sichuan Province, playing a key role in rescue and relief work after the massive earthquake on 12 May 2008. Here is the personal story of Li Zheng, one of those volunteers.
Read the full story
More related news
10 November 2008
China: A healing touch for children
6 November 2008
China: Earthquake survivors bracing for winter
26 September 2008
China: Faces of recovery
1 September 2008
China: Red Cross on the spot as new earthquake strikes
20 August 2008
Red Cross reaches 100th day of humanitarian relief for China earthquake survivors
20 June 2008
Red Cross providing much needed shelter to earthquake survivors
13 June 2008
Out of ruins comes hope
4 June 2008
Beginning the healing process
27 May 2008
A very different deployment
22 May 2008
The fear of the unknown
19 May 2008
Students struggle to cope after quake
More International Federation news
Operation updates and appeals
21 November 2008
Sichuan earthquake - Revised emergency and recovery appeal no.MDRCN003
4 November 2008
Sichuan earthquake - Operations update no.17
2 September 2008
New earthquake in Sichuan and Yunnan - Information bulletin no.1
30 May 2008
Sichuan earthquake - Revised emergency appeal no.MDRCN003
15 May 2008
Sichuan earthquake - Emergency appeal no.MDRCN003
13 May 2008
Sichuan earthquake - DREF update no.1
12 May 2008
Sichuan earthquake - DREF bulletin
12 May 2008
Sichuan earthquake - Information bulletin no.1
More information on International Federation activities in China 
More information
Red Cross Society of China
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