Oxfam at work in China provinces affected by floods

Published: 12th August 2010

Continuous heavy rain has caused problems including flooding and landslides in at least 12 provinces in China since June, affecting 200 million people.

Oxfam has been working in Guizhou and Yunnan in recent weeks, bringing badly needed relief to people affected by flooding there. Now we are focusing on relief and rehabilitation in Shaanxi province. Working with local partners, we are also assessing the situation in Zhouqu County of Gansu province, where a tragic mudslide has left thousands of people homeless.

The mudslide that hit the county seat of Zhouqu on Sunday took the lives of at least 700 people, and more than 1,000 are still missing, Chinese officials said Tuesday. Central authorities have ordered full-scale rescue and relief efforts, and more than 7,000 People's Liberation Army soldiers have been sent to the county to assist in the relief work.

Oxfam Hong Kong is closely monitoring developments in Zhouqu and planning our response in terms of relief and rehabilitation. We have been informed that the local government is providing food and shelter for those who have lost their homes. Domestic and international relief agencies are delivering relief supplies to the area.

Shaanxi province has also been severely impacted by flooding, with 44 counties affected. Nearly 500 people have died due to floods and landslides. With less media coverage, external supports in relief aid are limited. Oxfam is now working with two local partners to distribute food, quilts and daily necessities, provide health care training, address the needs of marginalized groups- women and children and help people rebuild their lives.

Oxfam plans an appeal for HK$1.8 million (approximately US$230,000) for relief and rehabilitation projects in Shannxi and Gansu. We will allocate these resources to the poorest communities, who are usually in remote areas, and tend to receive less assistance from central and local authorities, and less attention from the media and the public.

Please donate to support our relief efforts:

1. Online via the Oxfam Hong Kong website: English / Chinese

2. By direct payment
Send the bank-in slip to Oxfam Hong Kong
- HSBC: 001-537000-012
- Bank of China: 012-874-0-013040-1
- The Bank of East Asia: 015-133-40-07328-2

3. By cheque

Cheque payable to "Oxfam Hong Kong". Please write "China Flood" at the back and send to 17/F., China United Centre , 28 Marble Road, North Point, Hong Kong.

Photos of Oxfam delivery of aid

Notes to editors

About Oxfam Hong Kong
Oxfam Hong Kong is an independent development and humanitarian organization working against poverty and related injustice. We recognize that much poverty is caused by injustice and that poverty alleviation requires economic, social and structural change. We work with people facing poverty and with partner organizations on development, humanitarian, policy advocacy and public education programs. Founded in 1976, Oxfam Hong Kong has worked in about 70 countries.

Contact information

Angel Lee (Communications Officer), HK Tel: 3120 5281, Email: angell@oxfam.org.hk

Thomas Lau (Media Lead), Hong Kong, Tel: 3120 5275, Email: thomasl@oxfam.org.hk