TIBET EARTHQUAKE SUPPORT GROUPSAs you may have heard, Tibetans in the the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous
Prefecture in Qinghai Province of China are now suffering from the
devastating results of a 6.9 earthquake that just occurred on
Wednesday, April 14.
So far the death toll is at least 400 people, including scores of
school children and teachers. More than ten thousand people were
injured and most of the homes had been flattened. Yushu county has a
population of about 100,000 people, and many of them are herders and
farmers.
The area is at an altitude of 13,000 feet, the nights are bitterly cold
and many are not able to have adequate shelter. Conditions are
miserable, and because the area is remote, relief efforts will be hard
pressed to arrive quickly.
HOW YOU CAN HELPWe have researched the following list of leading non-governmental,
Tibet-focused, development organizations that are now networking on the
ground to deliver relief as quickly as possible. We urge you to
investigate the website of each one for yourself and make a
contribution of support.
PLATEAU PERSEPCTIVES (Canadian based)
www.plateauperspectives.orgThis organization has created a central site for relief activity
reports:
www.yushuearthquakerelief.comMission:
Plateau Perspectives is an international organization that helps local
communities and government leaders find long-term solutions to promote
more sustainable livelihoods, to improve people's quality of life and
to protect the natural environment in the Tibetan Plateau region of
China.
Current Aid Agenda:
"Right now, PP is the only organization that's been welcomed by the FAO
to come down to Yushu, so we're trying to coordinate with other folks
to get supplies and medical personnel ready to go as soon as the OK is
given. We're sending a small team down in a few hours, but hopefully
more will be able to head down in the next few days."
[http://yushuearthquakerelief.com/ is the most complete website so far
and may be the only foreign NGO with official approval to operate in
the area - RB”
TIBETAN VILLAGE PROJECT (US-based)
www.TibetanVillageProject.orgMission:
A non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to promoting
sustainable development while preserving the rich cultural heritage of
Tibet. The organization was founded in 2001.
Current Aid Agenda:
“Chris Jones of Columbia University and members of Tibetan Village
Project are on their way from Chengdu to Xining to help coordinate
local NGO’s response and relief efforts. They are working with
volunteers and local NGOs led by Snowland Service Group (SSG) a Yushu
Based NGO. A website will be up soon where you can learn more about
what people in Yushu need and how you can help.
MACHIK (US-based)
www.machik.orgMission:
Founded on a core commitment to the ideals of service and engagement,
Machik works to develop new opportunities for education and training,
as well as supporting initiatives that advance innovative and
solutions-oriented approaches to the challenges of community
revitalization and sustainability
Current Aid Agenda:
“Machik is networked with Tibetans who have years of experience serving
local community needs in the Jyekundo and surrounding areas. Machik is
creating a safe mechanism for delivering funds directly to those who
are best able to reach those most in need.We assure you that all funds
donated through "Machik Earthquake Relief" will go directly to
assisting the people of Jyekundo and the devastated communities. Over
the past 48 hours, the Machik Earthquake Relief Appeal has raised over
13,000 USD.
HIMALAYAN CONCENSUS (Beijing
Based)
www.himalayanconsensus.orgMission:
The Himalayan Consensus is a new paradigm for sustainable economic
development that seeks practical community-based solutions, draws upon
values indigenous to the Himalayan region, and emphasizes ethnic
identity and economic empowerment.
Current Aid Agenda:
“Himalayan Consensus’s Yushu (clinic) has managed to escape the Yushu
earthquake with minimal damage and our team is working around the clock
to provide medical care and basic supplies to those most in need of
assistance.”
To Continue to dZi,
Click Here
