Dear Colleagues and Friends,

As you may have already known, on May 12 a deadly earthquake at a magnitude of 8.0/7.9 hit Sichuan Province, China. The earthquake was so strong and so massive that it was felt as far as Beijing (1,500 km away) and Shanghai (1,700 km away). It was also felt in Japan, South Korea, as well as in other nearby countries. The earthquake has caused devastating demages, with a death toll of 40,075 (as of May 20). Tens of thousands are still missing and 247,645 injured. The earthquake left about 4.8 million people homeless. The Chinese government warned that the death toll could reach 50,000. A nation-wide three-day mourning period started on May 19 during which all flags are flying at half-mast across the country and all public entertainment are suspended. On May 19 at 2:28 pm (the time of the earthquake), a moment of silent tribute was observed across the vast country of 1.3 billion people. For more information, please visit the website:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-05/20/content_6695636.htm  

Rescue work and donation drives of an unprecedented scale are now in full swing in China. Aids of various forms from the international community are pouring in. At UD, various kinds of donation and fundraising activies are being organized. If you are interested in helping the victims of the Sichuan Earthquake, you may send your donation check to:  

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
2600 Tilden St. NW, Washington, DC 20008

The Chinese Embassy will send you a receipt and an appreciation letter.  

UD CSSA (Chinese Students and Scholars Association) and CCD (China Club of Delaware) are also raising funds for the earthquake victims. You can find detailed donation instructions in their donation proposal >> here (PDF).

Thank you.

Donation Poster Developed by CSSA and CCD (Click to Enlarge):