About The Emergency
By the Numbers
Magnitude 7.8 earthquake
Some 14 million people were affected by the earthquake
More than 3,000 aftershocks followed in the days after
A devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit China on May 12, 2008, affecting the lives of more than 14 million people across the country. Thousands of people were injured and killed in what was considered the strongest earthquake to hit the country in over 30 years. More than 3,000 aftershocks followed.
The mid-day quake collapsed schools, buildings, water towers, houses and communications systems, leaving thousands of people, including many school children, buried under large piles of rubble. Hundreds of thousands of people were left homeless.
How Islamic Relief Helped
Islamic Relief was quick to respond—IR worked in conjunction with the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) and the Gansu Association for NGO International Economic and Technical Co-operation (GANGO), two of the largest operational NGOs in the country.
Islamic Relief also provided emergency aid in the Gansu Province where more than 200,000 people were displaced and close to another 5,000 were injured during the quake.
Some of IR’s efforts included
- Construction of temporary homes for displaced residents
- Distribution of 48,000 bags of instant noodles; 30,000 bottles of mineral water; 300 cartons of biscuits; and 10,080 kg of cooked meat
- Support the construction of 10 transition schools that will benefit more 3,000 earthquake-affected children
Islamic Relief has worked in China since 2002.
How You Can Help
Here are three ways you can help in cases of emergencies.
