OB China workers in Mianyang helped lead a team of 36 volunteers into the area to administer aid and pass out relief supplies packed into some 14 vehicles, 8 of which were filled with medicine, clothes, food, bottled water and raincoats.

BEIJING - As relief workers, government officials and volunteers sift through the rubble searching for survivors, the death toll following Monday’s 7.9-magnitude earthquake continues to climb.

Officials estimate nearly 50,000 have died and 3.5 million homes have been destroyed.

According to a government report, more than 64,000 people have been injured in the worst earthquake to hit China in 32 years.

Operation Blessing is on-scene in three of the hardest-hit areas: Chengdu, Dujiangyan and Mianyang.

In Chengdu, OB China is working in cooperation with the with the Red Cross, China Social Work Association and Children’s Hope International. Specifically, OBI was asked to help target relief efforts for orphans as well as children in highly impacted areas. 

OBI is trying to establish contact with an orphanage in Wenchuan County where 20 of the 36 children are under the age of 2. Teams are also working to help organize a shipment from Beijing with specialized supplies for area victims.

In a joint relief effort with the Red Cross and Heart-to-Heart International, OB China helped coordinate a caravan of 11 vehicles packed with food and relief supplies donated from area residents to distribute to victims in Dujiangyan.

Hundreds of people cram into makeshift camps waiting for help. According to a government report, more than 64,000 people have been injured in the worst earthquake to hit China in 32 years.

The vans contained 900 boxes of water, 200 boxes of food, 80 boxes of canned meats and 30 boxes of breads.

"The outpouring of help is incredible," said Kara Waddell, general manager for Operation Blessing China. "We made an appeal on a radio show for help and donations, clothing, blankets poured in."

In Mianyang, more than 18,000 people remain missing or buried. The ZiTong Orphanage, for example, was forced to send its 80 children, and 20 newly arrived orphans, to a military facility because its building was so badly damaged in the quake.

OB China workers helped lead a team of 36 volunteers into the area to administer aid and pass out relief supplies packed into some 14 vehicles, 8 of which were filled with medicine, clothes, food, bottled water and raincoats.

Seven vans filled with water, milk powder, clothes, quilts, medicines and more, were distributed by churches, volunteers and area corporations. In addition, surgical gloves and caps, uniforms, stethoscopes and 18,200 face masks were also delivered to the area.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

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