Sunday, May 18, 2008, 10:44 PM

Dear friends,
Up to 14:00, May 18, death toll 32,477, injured 220,109.

(source: Xinhua Press website) 
 
News from the front line:
Mr. Zheng Ye, Assistant Director, Amity Community Development and Environmental Protection programme and Principal Shan Gou finally got into Beichuan County, one of the most devastated area. Zheng ye reports that most of the victims have been evacuated to Mianyang City. It is already the 6th day after the earthquake, fewer and fewer people will have chances to survive. According to the Japanese rescuers, among the 10 people rescued, none survived. The temperature reached 30 Celsius today. Due to good disinfection, no epidemic happens.
 
The visit to Beichuan is the first visit to the earthquake area where the emergency rescue is taking place. What's happening already beyond what regular people could hold. Amity headquarters requests all staff on the ground to exercise proper self-protection, apart from need assessment and emergency relief. 
 
Yue yaomeng still stays in Mianyang, distributing plastics sheets and help with putting up tents. 1000 quilts made urgently have been delivered to Mianyang. Ground staff sees that ample supplies are provided in Mianyang and have decided to truck these quilts to other townships and villages surrounding Mianyang.
 
Mr. He Wen, Assistant General Secretary went to Mianyang from Du Jiangyan, assessing the needs.

This evening, all Amity staff and volunteers will meet in Mianyang for the first time and discuss the plan for the next stage.
 
News at the headquarters:
 After the earthquake, Amity e-action, a programme to help rural orphans appeal offering help to the orphans from earthquake. Although at the moment, we can not know how many children have lost their beloved ones, yet Amity calls for sponsorship for orphans from the earthquake. 1,485 yuan will cover an orphan’s education, medicine and clothing.
 
She Hongyu