Earthquake Aid

Update (07/12/08):

Sixty- nine days ago life was normal in Sichuan.

Sixty-eight days ago their world turned upside down.

As all of us have watched this situation unfold, we have been witness to a tremendous, and humbling, outpouring of support from our donors. We have received donations from groups, corporations, individuals, and churches, as well as donations from children who gave their allowance to help the children in China. Each and every donation given for this cause is very important to us, as is each and every donor.

We have been working diligently to use the funds that have been entrusted to us in a way that will honor our donors' intentions. The first thing we did was send a large shipment of formula to Chongqing Civil Affairs for distribution to any baby who needed it. At that time we started working on our long-term relief plan. We have investigated many, many options but have not yet found the right project. Are we being picky? Perhaps, but here is why:

We want to make sure that any project we begin we are able to follow through to the end. The children we will help deserve that.
We want to be sure we know where every dollar of every donation is going and that it is making a real and tangible difference. Our donors deserve that.
The Chinese government is doing an amazing job of taking care of the immediate needs of the children impacted. The outpouring of support, both financially and in volunteer hours, that the Chinese people have donated has been amazing. Even the children in our programs throughout China donated the little they had to help. We had been moving forward with plans to help foster children who were newly orphaned due to this tragedy, but we recently got the wonderful news that the vast majority of children impacted were able to be reunited with at least one relative.

The effects of this earthquake will be felt for years to come. Some of the effects have been seen already but others won’t be seen for quite some time. Please be patient as we continue to work with those on the ground investigating our options for us. We have wonderful, compassionate people in place working with us, and we are confident that together we will be able to provide true, long-term relief to the children in need.

UPDATE (6/02/08):

Earthquake Update—Three Weeks Later

It has been three weeks since the devastating earthquake hit Sichuan. As I have watched the news reports and read the articles from the comfort and safety of my living room, I try to comprehend the numbers of people affected by this devastation: 71,000 dead, 5 million homeless. But what does this mean? I understand these are incredibly huge numbers. It is easy to feel sad, shake my head, and then continue with my day. In an effort to really grasp the magnitude of the devastation, I have made some comparisons:

71,000 people dead: that is 6,000 people less than the population of the city of Melbourne, Australia. The war in Vietnam claimed the lives of 58,217 American soldiers.

5 million homeless: that is two-thirds of the population of New York City. Think about that—two-thirds of all the people in NYC suddenly without a home! The population of Finland is 5.2 million—almost an entire country homeless.

We appreciate every organization and individual who are working to help with relief efforts. Although our efforts are small compared with the magnitude of this disaster, we know that the combined efforts of many groups and people will make a difference for those in need.

Love Without Boundaries has delivered formula to Chongqing Civil Affairs, and we are currently working on long-term relief efforts. We have a doctor visiting three orphanages in the hardest hit areas to assess the situation for us. Once we receive his report and recommendations, we will be better able to decide how to best use the funds our supporters have entrusted to us. Thank you so much for your support and concern for the victims of this tragedy.

UPDATE (5/26/08):

The first phase of our relief efforts has been accomplished: 60 cases of formula were delivered to the Chongqing Civil Affairs on Friday, May 23rd. Chongqing will distribute the formula to those in need. If photos are received, we will post them on this website page. We are deeply thankful to our wonderful supporters who have made it possible for us to get this milk to the children of Chongqing.

Yesterday, three powerful aftershocks shook Gansu and Sichuan Provinces. The latest estimates put the death toll over 65,000, over 360,000 injured, and 24,000 still missing. Some are estimating the homeless in this area at 5 million. These numbers are incomprehensible and overwhelming. It is easy to feel helpless, and then we receive a notice of a donation that states, “xxx emptied her piggy bank to help the people in China,” or “I don’t have much money, but I want to help; this is all I can afford.” These donations make a tremendous difference to the victims, and 100% of donations received will be used for these people who so desperately need our help. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and continued support of our efforts.

UPDATE (5/20/08):

I know all of us are stunned and heartbroken by the tragedy of the earthquake in China, and I wanted to give you an update on what LWB is working on, specifically about our relief efforts.

First of all, we were not in any position to provide immediate assistance such as food or blankets because we did not have staff on the ground in Sichuan. When we have been contacted by people who want to give to the rescue efforts, we have been referring them to groups like Americares or Children's Hope International. These groups are right there trying to get food and water to the victims. Because many roads were damaged, it has been difficult to ship in supplies.

LWB is collecting funds and plans to use these donations for projects that will provide more long-term relief. 100% of donations received will be used for relief efforts. I am saddened to report that our directors in China have contacted many officials and have been told that a huge amount of children have now become orphaned. Our China medical director spoke with a doctor in Sichuan who said that in his hospital alone there were 163 newly orphaned children.

One of our Board members is actually in Beijing right now and has met with the CCAA. We wish to pledge our support to a specific project that LWB can be closely involved with. We know that many charities are raising funds which will be used by the central government for relief efforts. We are recommending Half the Sky for this type of donations. Because many groups and foreign countries are already helping in that way, LWB has decided to work on a smaller project that we can be closely involved with so that we can report back to our donors on how their funds were used. Since we know that there are two very real needs in China involving this horrible earthquake--immediate assistance for food and water and also a long-term need of help for the children who have now become orphaned--LWB has decided to raise funds to help in both ways. One immediate need that we have been asked to help with is providing baby formula to the regions in need as many babies currently have no access to the formula they need. Through our Nutritition Program, we are able to get significant discounts on baby formula due to the amount we purchase. We are placing the first emergency order today, which will be shipped to Chongqing Civil Affairs and then distributed to babies in need.

One long-term project that we are working on is outside of Chengdu. We are working with a local physician there who has already met with provincial Civil Affairs about setting up a temporary children's shelter for those children who have either become orphaned or have become displaced and are unable to locate their families. Of course we will pray that every child possible who enters this shelter will eventually be reunited with his or her family, but, if they are not, LWB would like to help them in the long-term by providing shelter and possible future foster homes. Civil Affairs asked us how many children we feel we can help and house. They are worried that if the project is announced that more children will be sent to us than we can handle. We are waiting on final details for this project as there are many logistical details to work out with helping more long-term. Our staff in China are in close contact with officials in the region to come up with the best plan for the children who are currently still in the hospitals there. As we receive more news on how we will be helping long-term, we will pass it on to you.

The magnitude of this devastation and feeling of sorrow is so very deep, and I know all of us are wanting to do something to help out. We are fully committed to helping children who have been hurt in this tragedy, and we are so grateful for your support. Together, we can work to touch the lives of children who have suffered such a loss in a very real way.

Amy Eldridge

UPDATE (5/16/08):

Pingliang, Gansu: No injuries but the building has sustained some damage.

UPDATE (5/14/08):

Baoji, Shannxi: No injuries reported. Minor damage to the building but they able to remain inside.

Chongqing Province: No injuries in the orphanages in Chongqing area. Liangping and Fuling orphanages have some damage to buildings.

UPDATE (5/13/08):

Yunyang, Chongqing: All children and staff are safe. No damage to their building.

Fuling, Chongqing: We have unconfirmed reports that the staff and children are safe. The new orphanage building sustained some structural damage which is being assessed.

Nanchuan, Chongqing: All children are safe and no damage reported.

Xiushan, Chongqing: All children are safe and no damage reported.

Zhaotong, Yunnan Foster Care: All children in this program are accounted for and safe.

UPDATE (5/12/08):

Mama’s Wish Students: All students and teachers have been accounted for and are safe.

Deyang, Sichuan SWI: All the children are safe. There was minor damage to the building.

If you adopted a child who was in an LWB program, we are happy to send you any progress reports and photos that we have in our files after you have brought your child home. Pleae complete this form and submit it to us.