China Earthquake Kills 617

Leaves Thousands Homeless and Injured

Stouffville, ON, April 15, 2010 - A 7.1-magnitude earthquake, hit Yushu, in China’s Qinghai province yesterday, leaving 617 people dead and thousands homeless.

According to the provincial government, 85% of buildings and homes were levelled by the early morning quake, injuring over 8,000 people.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of this devastated region,” says Ed Epp, Executive Director of cbm Canada. He noted that none of cbm’s projects in China have been affected.

cbm has 24 projects throughout China that provide eye care, ear assessment and community rehabilitation for people with physical disabilities.

“We know from experience that the people who had disabilities before this tragedy will be affected the most,” says Epp.

Throughout the freezing temperatures during the night, rescue workers were searching for survivors in the rubble in a remote part of the Tibetan plateau.

“We ask Canadians to join with us in prayer for the people of China as they have lost their loved ones, their homes and may now be facing serious injuries or life-threatening disabilities.”

Over 100,000 Yushu residents have been affected by the devastating quake.

cbm is communicating with its longstanding partners and regional offices to determine how the organization can be of assistance to the affected communities of China.

A leading international Christian humanitarian organization, cbm works to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world. For more information, browse our website.

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Media Contact:

Sandy Hazell
National Media Coordinator
cbm Canada
shazell@cbmcanada.org
(905) 640-6466 ext 246;
1-800-567-2264 ext 246
(416) 302-3166 (cell)