Since early June, large parts of China have been beset by torrential rains, resulting in severe flooding and landslides.
Some 36.5 million people across 13 provinces have been affected and 1.64 million people have been displaced, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunan have been affected. Some 65,000 people have been evacuated from one of the worst affected provinces, Hunan.
World Vision China's emergency team conducted a rapid assessment in Lianyuan City and Taojiang County of Hunan Province late last week.
The assessment team reported houses and schools flooded and covered with mud in Taojiang County, Hunan. Many people had climbed onto house rooftops or fled to the hills to escape flood waters. Freshly planted crops were also washed away.
“The drought that happened not long ago has already brought Hunan crop failure. It is estimated that the survivors will have to face food shortages for about three to four months. People’s most pressing needs will be food and shelter,” said Meimei Leung, Head of World Vision China's Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Department.
As a result of the assessment, quilts, additional hygiene kits and food will be distributed. The first major distribution for Hunan province will include 1,000 quilts, 1,000 hygiene kits and 60 child-friendly kits.
Displaced senior citizens evacuated to nearby community lodging have received hygiene kits including items such as toothpaste and toothbrush, soap and wash cloths. Children in Hunan have also received child-friendly kits, which include toys and stationery items.
Yang Gangming, an 80-year-old man, lost his home and crops. “After the prolonged drought it comes to floods! Our paddy field is destroyed. We lose our home and also our food stock and probably will have nothing to eat (for) a few days later,” he told World Vision staff.
A second assessment team led by Meimei Leung is currently finalising assessments in Leping County, Jiangxi province, another hard hit area. In Jiangxi, 39,900 people were forced to leave their homes and 720 houses collapsed. Large areas of farmland have been damaged.
Staff have been in contact with World Vision assisted communities and there are no reports of casualties or injuries in child sponsorship programs.
The Government of the Peoples’ Republic of China has dispatched 5,000 tents and 30,000 quilts to affected communities in Guizhou, Hunan and Anhui provinces. The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Civil Affairs have allocated US$25.38 million as living subsidies for individuals in the flood-hit areas.