Wednesday, 28 May 2008 5:52 PM

Dear friends,

By 12:00pm, May 28, over 68,109 people have been killed in the earthquake and 19,851 are still missing. Over 15 million are relocated. (Source: China Ministry of Social Welfare)

News from the front line:

Many friends have written to offer help to the orphans. Shortly after the earthquake, many children are reported orphaned and need to be adopted or foster cared. Yet from the Ministry of Social Welfare, officials say that “At the moment, we are trying our best to reunite children with their parents before we register any of them as orphans”. Amity Foundation is keeping a close eye on the situation and ready to step in as soon as possible.

At Mianzhu, our volunteer team visited the 2nd shelter in Mianzhu where over 1300 people are accommodated. They found that only 1.5 Km apart, the 2nd shelter has much less resources than the 1st one where over 6000 people are sheltered. The team decided to work more closely with the 2nd shelter. English classes, painting classes are provided to children in the shelters. Collaboration with other NGOs like “Save the Children Fund” is made in giving classes to children. Those needing special counseling are identified for individual counseling.

The team lead by Mr. He Wen, Assistant General Secretary traveled to Wen County, Gansu (on the boarder with Qingchuan County)and Luoyang County in Shaanxi Province these days to evaluate the needs for emergency relief and post disaster rehabilitation. Detailed plans are being worked out with the churches in Shaanxi.

Peace,

She Hongyu