Our colleagues in the China Christian Council and the Sichuan Christian Council have shared information and pictures from the Sichuan Province which was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on April 20, 2013.

Lushan, Baoxing, and Tianquan counties were the hardest hit areas. The most recent update we received indicated that the death toll had reached 193 with over 10,000 people injured. Over 1,200 aftershocks have been detected, mostly in the 3.5 to 5.1 magnitude range. 1,500,000 people have been affected. Over 120,000 people are now homeless.

The Lushan county hospital is full of patients and many of the wounded have had to seek treatment in common areas of the hospital or in outdoor tents. Patients have also been sent to facilities in Ya’an and Chengdu.

The epicenter of the earthquake was the Longmen Township. Over 99% of the houses in the township have collapsed and hospitals lost water and electricity. Three dams in Lushan county damanged and residents who live downstream have been evacuated.

The China Christian Council has worked with partners to organize teams of churches in neighboring towns to carry out disaster relief efforts. These teams have provided food, water, and quilts.

We’ll share more information as we receive it. The China Christian Council has shared that the supplies that are most urgently needed are tents, quilts, medicine, food, and water. They have set up a direct appeal for earthquake relief. For additional information, please contact the Asia and the Pacific Partnership Officer, Peter Ng.

Please pray for all those affected by the earthquake and join us in giving thanks for the ministry and leadership of the China Christian Council and the Sichuan Christian Council during this difficult time.