Earthquake in China

On May 12, 2008, China experienced one of the worst earthquakes to hit the nation in three decades.  Present estimates are that the death count may reach 50,000.  Rescue and relief workers have had difficulty reaching the area nearest the earthquake’s epicenter. 

The 7.9-magnitude earthquake devastated a hilly region of small cities and towns in the Sichuan province in central China as well as portions of three other provinces and the mega-city of Chongqing.
The quake hit about 60 miles northwest of Chengdu — a city of 3.75 million — shortly before 2:30 p.m., in the middle of the afternoon when classrooms and office towers were full.  Reports are that the quake lasted for approximately three minutes.

As frequently is the case when earthquakes affect hilly areas, landslides initially left the roads impassable.  Heavy rains in the hours following the quake compounded the problems experienced by both victims and relief workers.  A significant aftershock on May 15 caused additional mud slides, again blocking roads that had been cleared.
(information taken from AP reports)

Response Updates

Friday, May 30, 2008

VBMB Disaster Relief Will Respond in Partnership with Amity Foundation Through our partnership, Virginia Baptists have sent $10,000 to the Amity Foundation to support their disaster relief efforts (to purchase tents, blankets, water, and other relief aid items), and we will be further involved in China earthquake relief efforts in relationship with Amity as requested by Amity.  At this point, Amity’s leaders have not requested volunteers to travel to the area. Click here for the latest updates related to Amity’s response to the China Earthquake. Monetary contributions sent to VBMB and designated for “China Earthquake Relief” will be used to support Amity’s response, with involvement of VBMB disaster relief leadership and/or volunteers if requested.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Meeting of Multinational Group of Baptist Disaster Relief Leaders Planned for May 24 Baptist disaster relief leaders from approximately one dozen Baptist bodies around the world will meet on Saturday, May 24, to receive updates on the situations in Myanmar and China; to understand the relief efforts currently under way; to learn what is needed to support, improve, and sustain these efforts; and to plan for longer-term recovery.  Some of the leaders will gather in person in Bangkok, Thailand.  Others, including Terry Raines, will participate in the meeting through the internet via Skype.  Hopefully, a better understanding of how Virginia Baptist donations and (potentially) volunteers can help will emerge from this meeting. Personnel related to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship are on the ground in Chengdu, China.  Direct input from CBF leaders should offer a broader perspective of both current and long-term needs for assisting the victims of the earthquake.

Friday, May 16, 2008

VBMB Disaster Relief Will Respond in Partnership with Amity Foundation Virginia Baptists’ have a partnership of fellowship and prayer with the Amity Foundation, the organization for development and ministry related to the China Christian Council.  Amity has activated a disaster response following the earthquake.  Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief Coordinator Terry Raines has attempted communication with Amity’s Disaster Relief leadership.  Virginia Baptists will be involved in China earthquake relief efforts in relationship with Amity as requested by Amity.  To this point, Amity’s leaders have not asked for volunteers to travel to the area.  They have requested financial contributions to allow them to purchase additional tents, blankets, water, and other relief aid items. Monetary contributions sent to the VBMB and designated for “China Earthquake Relief” will be used to support Amity’s response – with involvement of VBMB Disaster Relief leadership and/or volunteers if requested. Click here for the latest updates related to Amity’s response to the China Earthquake.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Virginia Baptist Ambassador Lynn Yarbrough Safe Lynn Yarbrough, Virginia Baptists’ Ambassador serving in China in relationship with the Amity Foundation, is safe and was personally unaffected by the earthquake.  Lynn lives in the city of Nanjing, many miles from the earthquake’s epicenter – roughly the equivalent of the distance from Baltimore (compared to Nanjing) to Colorado (compared with area most affected by the earthquake). Possibility for VBMB Disaster Relief Aid to Assist Earthquake Victims Virginia Baptists have a partnership of fellowship and prayer with the Amity Foundation, the organization for development and ministry related to the China Christian Council.  The Amity Foundation often responds when disaster strikes within China.  According to Lynn Yarbrough, it is likely that Amity will mount some form of response following the earthquake.  Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief Coordinator, Terry Raines, has communicated to Amity, through Lynn Yarbrough, our concern and support, offering the assistance of VBMB Disaster Relief ministries as they may be helpful. Yarbrough has shared with Amity officials that Virginia Baptists can offer a small feeding kitchen that can be transported by plane; helping hands that can help families salvage personal effects, set up tents, etc.; water purification; trained crisis care personnel; leadership that has been onsite and has assisted in assessing and creating relief plans following recent earthquakes in Pakistan and Peru; and some financial assistance to help with Amity's efforts. Nichole Bulls has received an initial response from Amity stating they have started disaster relief work in the area, have released emergency funds to support these efforts, are in need of additional funds and will appreciate any help offered.  Conversations related to what forms our help may take continue. Virginia Baptists will become involved in China earthquake relief efforts in relationship with Amity as requested.  Monetary contributions designated for China earthquake relief will be used to support a VBMB response or will be forwarded to Amity to support their response.

Your Help is Needed

Financial contributions from Virginia Baptist individuals and churches will help to expand the number of victims that can be reached with these ministries of relief.

The Virginia Baptist Mission Board is accepting monetary donations to assist with the disaster response. Donate online with our secure shopping cart.

Or make checks payable to “Virginia Baptist Mission Board” (with the designation “China Earthquake Relief” on the memo line) and send them to:

Disaster Relief
Virginia Baptist Resource Center
2828 Emerywood Parkway
Richmond, VA 23294