News on the China Earthquake

Dear friends,

I know you have been waiting eagerly for more news of how the children are
faring during the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake in Sichuan.

When something terrible like this happens, confusion is everywhere and
rumors spread. All of us are so worried about the children. We are trying
to be scrupulously careful to pass along only information that we've been
able to verify.

We have now set up a procedure whereby we can get an update from the
Ministry of Civil affairs each day. They are supervising all relief efforts
so have the most complete and accurate information available. We also now
have contact information for all affected welfare institutions and have
begun the process of reaching out to them directly to see if they need help.

I will write daily with any new information that has been given to us.
Again, please do not contact us to inquire about individual institutions. We
will give you all of the information we have. If you do not hear from us
about a particular place, it likely is not affected. At any rate, we don't
have any information beyond what I am passing along to you.

As of now, Wednesday afternoon in China, there are 12,012 people dead and
7,841 missing in Sichuan alone, and the numbers continue to rise. 26,206
people are living in temporary shelters. Only 30 children of 900 have been
rescued from the collapsed high school in Dujiangyan, Sichuan. At least 20
children were buried in the collapse of a primary school in Liangping,
Chongqing.

What follows are the welfare institutions closest to the epicenter:
Mianyang, Zitong County, Dujiangyan, Deyang and Guanguan.

The following is a preliminary, and not necessarily complete, list of
institutions which are also potentially affected: Wenjiang County, Neijiang,
Rongxian, Zigong, Ganzizhou, Panzhihua, Luzhou, Santai County, Leshan,
Suining, Nanchong, Guang'an.

We will have a full list later today or early tomorrow. While we've heard
rumors about some of the above, we won't pass on that information until
we've made direct contact and verified. I want to stress that we've heard
no reports of children in the welfare institutions being injured, only that
some have been relocated for their safety.

An update on the Chengdu CWI: There has been some foundation damage to the
rehab building and some cracked walls in other buildings, which are being
carefully inspected. The children's building is in the best shape and all
children have been moved to the first floor but spend most of the day
outside, weather permitting - or in the institution buses if there is rain.
All institution staff and HTS staff are working around the clock to care for
the children and keep them safe.

In cooperation with China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, Half the Sky has set
up the Children's Earthquake Fund. The Fund will provide direct aid to the
thousands of children who are suffering in the wake of the earthquake and
aftershocks. Donations will be used to provide emergency and long-term
relief to children affected by the disaster, including emergency shelter,
food, and medical care for children orphaned or separated from their
families, as well as temporary or long-term foster care or, if necessary,
temporary institutional care. The ministry has guaranteed that the funds
will be used only to help the children.

You can donate to the fund by calling Half the Sky (+1 510 525 3377) or at
one of two dedicated sites online:

Global Giving or the Half the Sky website

If you would like a Canadian tax receipt, please donate here.

If you would like a Hong Kong tax receipt, please call us at +852 2520 5266 or online here.

We are juggling a lot these days - doing everything we can to help out here
as well as keeping our existing programs operating, AND opening model
centers in 5 new provinces this year to bring everyday care to so many
children still waiting for us to reach them. But somehow we must find a way
to do it all.

This is just a devastating, heartbreaking situation. We are so moved by
your desire to help. We feel fortunate to be a conduit for so much loving
concern. Thank you all!

With love,

Jenny Bowen
Executive Director
Half the Sky Foundation
www.halfthesky.org

Half the Sky was created in order to enrich the lives and enhance the
prospects for orphaned children in China. We establish and operate infant
nurture and preschool programs, provide personalized learning for older
children and establish loving permanent foster care and guidance for
children with disabilities. It is our goal to ensure that every orphaned
child has a caring adult in her life and a chance at a bright future.