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With support from Australian donors, Oxfam has helped over 630,000 people affected by the earthquake in Sichuan one year ago.
Photo: Oxfam Hong Kong
Oxfam has built 16 permanent schools using earthquake-resistant techniques.
Photo: Oxfam Hong Kong
China earthquake – one year on
One year has passed since the devastating earthquake hit Sichuan province in China on 12 May 2008. Thousands of lives were lost, and over 46 million people were left injured or homeless.
Oxfam responded immediately, with relief supplies, public health services and counseling for survivors, reaching more than 630,000 people.
Oxfam is there
Since the earthquake, Oxfam (through Oxfam Hong Kong) has worked to restore 125 communities across Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces.
This work included:
- Reconstructing roads and water supply systems. Already six rural roads have been completed in Sichuan, enabling vital supplies to reach communities
- Helping poor families to restart their farming and other ways of earning a living – provision of livestock, seeds, fertiliser, loans and building materials
- Building seven transitional schools for over 3,000 students, and 16 permanent schools, with earthquake-resistant techniques
- Developing long-term projects with local partner organisations
Oxfam’s five-year plan
Oxfam was one of the first international organisations to be granted access for 80 rehabilitation projects in poor villages over the coming years. Ten of these projects are already underway.
While rebuilding lives, homes and schools, Oxfam is also helping families regain their sense of wellbeing. With access to parts of China never before reached, we are reminded that with the right support, sometimes a crisis can bring about a chance for positive change.
Thank you for your support of this vital work.
How you can help
Although we are no longer calling for funds toward this work in China, if you would like to help Oxfam continue its work in emergencies around the world, you can donate to our International Crisis Fund, which helps us respond to disasters and emergencies wherever they occur.
Latest news
- A home of red-white-blue (June 2008)
- A large percentage of the population is in urgent need of resettlement. In the town of Xiushui, in An Xian, Sichuan, hardly a building remains standing, and almost all of the survivors are homeless.
- China Earthquake: Oxfam reaching remote areas (May 2008)
- Oxfam is reaching people in remote rural areas in the southwest provinces of China following the earthquake that stuck the area on 12 May 2008.
- Oxfam commits $1.6 million to China Earthquake (May 2008)
- Oxfam Australia's statement in reaction to a series of earthquakes that hit south-west China on Monday 12 May killing more than 12,000 people.
- China Earthquake: Oxfam reaching remote areas 16 May 08
- Oxfam is reaching people in remote rural areas in the southwest provinces of China following the earthquake that stuck the area on the 12 May.... Read more...
- Oxfam commits $1.6 million to China Earthquake 14 May 08
- Oxfam Australia's statement in reaction to a series of earthquakes that hit south-west China on Monday 12 May killing more than 12,000 people.... Read more...