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14 MAY 2012

Oxfam delivers emergency supplies to 2,500 Gansu storm survivors

International aid agency Oxfam has delivered emergency supplies to about 2,500 residents in storm-battered Minxian, Gansu Province, China.

On the night of 10 May 2012, Gansu province was severely hit by hail and torrential rainstorm. According to government figures released at 22:30 on the night of 13 May, at least 42 people were killed, 17 people missing and 114 people hospitalised. In Minxian, the economic loss caused by the storm is estimated to be 6.84 billion Yuan. Oxfam staff responded immediately and arrived in Minxian for disaster assessment. With extremely cold weather and snowfall in some parts of the storm-stricken area, as well as increased sanitary risks as a result of the floods, there is now an urgent need for clothing and sanitary supplies.

Coordinating closely with the disaster relief centre in Minxian, Oxfam has decided to send emergency supplies to four severely hit, impoverished and remote villages in the town of Puma and the city of Hetuo. These materials include quilts, mattresses, camp-beds, medicated soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, shampoo and disinfectants. Hand torches and batteries are delivered to areas without electricity; sanitary napkins are given to evacuated women. A total of 2,500 residents from about 500 families are able to receive assistance.

Oxfam’s relief efforts would not have been implemented so efficiently without the help of its partners. Suppliers agreed to offer the entire amount of materials before receiving the payment in full; transportation companies provided logistical support for free. Their support is much appreciated.

About Oxfam
Oxfam is dedicated to fighting poverty and inequity worldwide. The international and independent development and humanitarian organisation tackles poverty in four main ways: sustainable development in poor communities, disaster relief, local and global advocacy, and education with Hong Kong youth. Established in Hong Kong in 1976, Oxfam Hong Kong is a founding member of Oxfam, an international confederation that has assisted poor people in 92 countries. Oxfam Hong Kong alone has supported poor people in over 70 countries/regions.